Courts / Ireland / Report
Ivor Callely seeks temporary release from prison
Summary
Ivor Callely, a 56‑year‑old former TD, has filed a High Court application to overturn the Minister for Justice's refusal to grant him temporary release from prison. Callely was jailed in July 2014 after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming €4,207.45 in expenses from the Oireachtas on forged mobile‑phone invoices. He received a five‑month custodial sentence from Judge Mary Ellen Ring and has been serving it at Wheatfield Prison. On 28 October the Minister declined his request for temporary release, stating that the breach of trust and abuse of public funds by a member of the Oireachtas must be treated in the most serious terms and that Callely was not suitable for release at this stage of his sentence. Callely argues the decision is unfair, citing that he has been treated differently from other prisoners who have committed more serious crimes, and that his high profile has unduly influenced the Minister's judgment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ivor Callely seeks temporary release from prison. Charges or matters: the offences and was sentenced to a total of five months in prison by Judge Mary Ellen Ring. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 28th Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-11-06 Publication
Why: In a sworn statement to the court Callely said he has been told by prison staff that he should not be in prison and is only being kept there because of his high profile. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: the offences and was sentenced to a total of five months in prison by Judge Mary Ellen Ring (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Callely (56) was jailed last July after it was found that he fraudulently claimed €4,207.45 in expenses from the Oireachtas on forged mobile phone invoices. On October 28th last the Minister in her decision refusing Callely temporary release, said she was "of the view that the breach of trust and abuse of public funds by a member of the Oireachtas must be considered in the most serious terms and Mr Callely is not considered suitable for temporary release at this stage of his sentence." He claims the Minister's decision is unfair and that he is not being treated the same as other prisoners, who have committed more serious crimes.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Mountjoy prison
- Wheatfield prison
Topics
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.