Position as senator an aggravating factor, judge rules

Former junior minister Ivor Callely has been jailed for five months for fraudulently claiming mobile expenses while he was a senator after a judge ruled that his position at the time was an aggravating factor in the case.

The case was adjourned last week to allow the prosecution to make submissions on whether Callely’s position as a senior politician at the time of the fraud should warrant extra punishment.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday ruled Callely’s position at the time is an aggravating factor and said that a prison term is demanded by the public interest. She imposed five months on each count to run concurrently.