Judge gives ex-junior minister Ned O'Keeffe suspended sentence for fraud

Former junior minister, Ned O'Keeffe, has been given a suspended sentence for submitting false expenses claims.

He was fined €3,500 and given a suspended seven-month jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to five counts of submitting false invoices to claim more than €3,700 in mobile phone expenses while a member of the Dáil.

The former Fianna Fáil TD represented the Cork East constituency for nearly 30 years until he retired in 2011 and Gardaí initially arrested him in connection with thie case at his home in Mitchelstown in April 2012.

After meeting gardaí by appointment at Togher Garda Station earlier today, the 72-year-old appeared before Cork District Court, where the judge acknowledged compensation totalling €3737.50 had been paid.

However, Judge Leo Malone said sentencing had to reflect the seriousness of the matter and Mr O'Keeffe's role as a public representative.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer told the court that O'Keeffe had always intended to plead guilty and did not want the State to have to cover the costs of a full trial.