Callely claims senators’ ‘political judgment’ invalid

A SEANAD committee’s finding that Senator Ivor Callely misrepresented his normal place of residence to claim expenses was “a political judgment” against the senator by his peers, the High Court has heard.

Senator Callely, who is seeking to overturn findings by the Seanad’s Select Committee on Members’ Interests last July, said he complied with the rules and made a claim for expenses that he was entitled to make.

Mr Callely’s counsel, Michael O’Higgins, said the committee made a political finding that “would be difficult if not impossible to reconcile with the evidence”.