Former Fianna Fáil TD Ned O'Keeffe is still being questioned by gardaí investigating alleged expenses fraud tonight following his arrest earlier today.
Mr O'Keeffe, who resigned his Cork East seat at the general election, was arrested at his home in Mitchelstown this morning by officers from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.
He is being held at Cobh Garda station under section 26 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.
He is being held on suspicion of using a false instrument, namely an invoice to claim mobile phone expenses from the Oireachtas.
First elected to the Dáil in 1982, Mr O’Keeffe (69) was a minster of state at the Department of Agriculture and Food between 1997 and 2001.
Fianna Fáil declined to comment on the arrest.“It’s a matter for the gardai and we have no further comment to make at this time," a spokesman said.