Callely returned for trial after book of evidence served

FORMER Fianna Fáil junior minister Ivor Callely has been returned for trial accused of making a series of bogus mobile phone expense claims when he was a member of the Seanad.

A book of evidence was served on Mr Callely by a fraud squad detective at Dublin District Court this morning.

Mr Callely is to be tried on indictment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Ann Ryan directed during the brief proceedings.

He was sent forward for trial on six counts of making false expense claims and is scheduled to face his next hearing on May 15th.

He is accused of using six invoices — from three phone companies — as false instruments at Leinster House for receipt of expenses for handsets and equipment, under the Oireachtas members direct purchase mobile phone scheme in November 2007, February 2008 and from September to December 2009.

Mr Callely (54) had been arrested by fraud squad detectives at his office at Howth Road, in Killester, Dublin at 9.50 am last Friday and was then taken to Clontarf Garda station.

The former politician was appointed to the Seanad in 2007 by the then taoiseach Bertie Ahern after he lost his Dublin North-Central Dáil seat during the general election earlier that year.

He resigned the Fianna Fáil party whip in August 2010 and has not been involved politics since 2011.

Hours after his arrest he appeared at Dublin District Court on April 19th last where Detective Adrian Kelly of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation said that Mr Callely faced six counts under Section 26 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.

Mr Callely, who lives at St Lawrence Road, Clontarf, Dublin had made no reply when the first charge was put to him at Clontarf Garda station; the fraud squad officer had also added that: “There was no reply to any of the charges.”

It is alleged that from September 1st, 2009 until December 30th that year, he used an invoice from Allstat Ltd; he is also accused that on November 21st, 2007 and the following day he used four invoices from Business Communications Ltd, and between February 4th, 2008 and the April 17th that year, it is claimed he used another invoice from In-Tech Ireland Ltd.

The six invoices allegedly had various dates from January 2002 until September 2009.

This morning he appeared again at Dublin District Court where a book of evidence was served on him.

State solicitor Ronan O’Brien told Judge Ryan that the DPP had consented to Mr Callely being sent forward for trial at the present term of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and that the the ex-senator was to be remanded on nominal bail in his own bond of €250.

Judge Ryan then gave the former junior minister the standard warning that if he intended to rely on an alibi in his defence he must notify the prosecution and provide them with the relevant details within 14 days. She also told him that if he did not do so he might not be able to use an alibi.

Mr Callely remained silent during the hearing nodded when asked if he understood.

“Is there an application for legal aid?” Judge Ryan asked.

“Not today judge,” defence counsel John Moher replied.

Mr Callely then took up bail and left the courtroom carrying his book of evidence.