Callely launches bid to get out of jail

Jailed former politician Ivor Callely has launched a High Court action to get out of prison.

The legal challenge is aimed at overturning a refusal by the justice minister to grant the former Fianna Fáil politician and senator temporary release from Wheatfield Prison.

Callely, aged 56, was jailed in July after it was found that he fraudulently claimed €4,207.45 in expenses from the Oireachtas on forged mobile phone invoices. He pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced to a total five months in prison by Judge Mary Ellen Ring.