High Court overturns Callely Seanad finding

THE High Court has overturned a Seanad committee finding that Senator Ivor Callely misrepresented his normal place of residence to claim expenses.

Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill yesterday ruled the Select Committee on Members Interests and the Seanad itself had failed to exercise their adjudicative function in an appropriate judicial manner by “making a political judgment on the issues” under investigation.

He also ruled that Sen Callely — who resigned from Fianna Fáil over the issue after the party made moves to expel him — was in compliance with the applicable definition of “normal place of residence” when he made his expenses claim. The committee and the Seanad had misdirected themselves, in law, on this definition, he said.