Minister forced to consider Callely case again

Former senator Ivor Callely has won a High Court action challenging a decision to refuse him early release from a five-month prison sentence imposed over fraudulently claiming Oireachtas expenses.

The court ruled his application for enhanced remission was not properly considered by the authorities and must now be returned to the justice minister for fresh consideration.

In his judgment, Mr Justice Anthony Barr found the minister fell into error when refusing to grant Callely enhanced remission as it appeared she had failed to take all of the relevant matters into account, which she is obliged to do, when arriving at her decision.