Senator to appear before inquiry over expenses

A Fianna Fáil senator has been called before a public ethics inquiry to answer allegations that he double-claimed for expenses while a councillor in Donegal County Council.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill received a letter from the State’s ethics watchdog, the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), in recent days calling on him to attend hearings, the Irish Examiner has learned.

The Donegal senator, originally nominated to the Seanad by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2007, is alleged to have abused his entitlement to travel and subsistence claims.

The claims relate to 2006 and 2007 when he was a member of Donegal County Council, prior to his promotion to the Upper House.

The claims against Sen Ó Domhnaill include that he twice claimed for events that he attended on behalf of the council. He has said there is no foundation to any of the allegations made. He originally described the claims against him, instigated by Donegal County Council itself, as a “political smear campaign”.

The 35-year-old is entitled to bring legal representation to the hearings, which will be held in front of all six members of the SIPO commission. Sen Ó Domhnaill received a letter from SIPO last week asking him if he was available to attend an inquiry hearing in March. It is understood that he has yet to agree on a date with SIPO.

The claims against Sen Ó Domhnaill were sparked after an anonymous letter was sent to a serving Donegal county councillor who then contacted county manager Seamus Neely. It has been reported that Fianna Fáil previously examined the allegations and found that there had been no irregularities.