‘Hot potato’ Callely: I am being punished twice

Former politician Ivor Callely has claimed he is “being punished twice” by not being considered suitable for early release from a sentence imposed over fraudulently claiming expenses, the High Court heard yesterday.

The former Fianna Fáil junior minister and senator says he made several applications for temporary release and enhanced remission but was refused on each occasion.

Callely was jailed for five months last July after admitting he fraudulently claimed €4,207.45 expenses from the Oireachtas on forged mobile phone invoices.