Former junior minister Ivor Callely will be sentenced on Monday for fraudulently claiming mobile expenses at Leinster House while he was a senator.
Callely (56) has pleaded guilty to four counts of using invoices believing them to be a false instruments between November 2007 and December 2009 at Leinster House, Kildare Street while he was a member of the Seanad.
The court heard he used invoices from defunct business to claim phone expenses under an Oireachtas Scheme, which allows members to claim €750 every 18 months.
After he became aware of the scheme in August 2007, shortly after being appointed a Senator,Callely began submitting for expenses at 18 months intervals.
He also submitted retrospective invoices from his time as a TD. The fraudulently claimed a total of €4207.45 using six invoices.
The fraud came to light after a Irish Mail on Sunday journalist requested details of some of these expenses using a Freedom of Information Act request. This prompted Callely to withdraw the claims and repay the expenses.
Gardaí then began investigating and discovered two of the companies who Callely claimed sold him the phones were no longer in business.
Defence counsel Michael O’Higgins SC said his client has 25 years of public service behind him.
He said Callely has suffered greatly both personally and professionally because of the charges and asked Judge Mary Ellen Judge Ring to consider imposing community service instead of a prison sentence.
His sentencing hearing before Judge Ring has just concluded at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
She remanded him on continuing bail until July 28th, next.
The judge has requested counsel produce case law to guide her on the issue of whether Callely’s former position in society is an aggravating factor.
The maximum term for the offence is ten years and an indeterminate fine.
Callely, of St Lawrences Road, Clontarf, had been due to stand trial after being sent forward from the District Court on charges relating to using invoices as false instruments for receipt of expenses for handsets and equipment, under the Oireachtas Members Direct Purchase Mobile Phone Scheme.
He entered a guilty plea in March of this year.
Callely, who was a member of Fianna Fail, served as Minister of State in the health and transport departments between 2002 and 2005. He was later appointed to the Seanad where he remained until 2011.
