Callely isolated by party as probe launched

FIANNA Fáil moved to isolate Ivor Callely last night after a probe was launched into his travel expenses by the Oireachtas.

The Seanad watchdog committee’s decision to turn up the heat on Mr Callely and order an investigation into his €81,015 travel allowances claim, triggered a Fianna Fáil action to strip him of the party whip.

The Select Committee on Members’ Interests said it had decided “that sufficient evidence exists to sustain a complaint under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001” after examining a detailed written statement provided by Mr Callely.