Journeying Senator chooses road not taken to court

FREE THE Clontarf One! Justice for Ivor! Up Cork! We, the members of The Callely Solidarity Movement (incorporating the Cork/Clontarf Expenses Collective and Action Ivor) wish to state that we are deeply disappointed by the poor turnout at our inaugural protest down the Four Courts yesterday morning.

This so-called Seanad investigation into the travelling habits of a passionate democrat clearly constitutes a missed-carriage: sure the poor man never once took a train.

It’s a travesty of a travesty – the original being how our legislators contrive to order and go about their business in the first place.

Is Callely the only bad egg? If they had a normal expenses regime, like in the real world, Ivor would be merely unpopular and some of his colleagues might not be as worried as they are today.

They are a law unto themselves – or are they? Ivor, who has fallen foul of them, thinks not. His erstwhile Government colleagues are not too sure either. When a Taoiseach and his Ministers routinely cite “due process” and “legal advice” in order to mask indecision or allow them ignore a colleague’s transgressions, why wouldn’t their wayward Senator fall back on the law when he’s in a pickle too?

So while Callely is by far the most unpopular boy in town at the moment, we members of the Callely Solidarity Movement (militant wing) are not yet prepared to throw our shoes at him, and him alone, just yet.

Nobody around Leinster House may want to make eye contact with Ivor at the moment, but at least the brass-necked Senator can take some solace in the knowledge that justice is blind...

Things looked quite promising around courtroom 29 before proceedings got under way.

A large police presence is always a great confidence booster for the committed activist, while it was gratifying to witness such a big attendance from the media.

Sadly, the rozzers were out in force due to the imminent arrival from prison of drug dealer John Gilligan, who had some legal business to conduct immediately after the ventilation of our hero’s story.

Ditto for the Army.

Did they not know who Ivor is? What an insult to a former minister for older people who once had his own driver and personalised Christmas cards. The least they could have done was given him a couple of burly sergeants.

With the security detail otherwise occupied, it was probably best that Callely didn’t put in an appearance, as he would have been at the mercy of any passing Liveline listener. At least the arrival of the pol corrs from Leinster House added a welcome touch of gravitas.

By the way, it is not true that the minister of state turned suspended Senator is being sued by Tony Blair for allegedly nicking the title of his recently launched memoir.

Callely’s version of A Journey was entertaining the masses in Ireland long before Blair’s finished manuscript found its way to the publishers.

It’s a journey which, as soon as the opening chapters were examined by a committee of his peers, was always going to end up in the Four Courts. While Dublin city resident Ivor sat alone as he was grilled by the Seanad committee about his travel expenses from west Cork, many of his replies bore the hallmark of m’learned friends.

He also proved very nimble when it came to sourcing relevant passages from a bewildering array of documentation.

When the committee eventually found he misrepresented his place of residence for the purpose of claiming allowances, few believed that would be the end of the matter.

In the High Court yesterday, senior counsel Michael O’Higgins outlined Ivor’s case. He argued that the claims he submitted for travel expenses were valid under the existing guidelines and fully complied with the definition as set out by the Department of Finance. A normal residence did not have to be a principal residence, but could be a premises where a person resided for a lengthy period.

The committee had become confused over the definition of a “normal place of residence”. It was conceded during the investigation that the Senator’s claims may have been technically valid, but this didn’t satisfy the committee.

O’Higgins remarked it would be like a judge saying to a plaintiff in court: “Well, you might be right but you’re wrong to rely on it.”

The lawyers will have a field day with this case.

It raises issues of real importance, said Judge Seán Ryan. It cannot be rushed.

But what’s to be done with Ivor in the meantime? How can he go back into the upper chamber like nothing has happened?

“This would be very disruptive of the disciplinary procedures that are in place,” argued Gerard Hogan, constitutional lawyer, who rushed in at the last minute to represent the committee.

Disruptive? Disciplinary procedures? Once in a blue moon, and only then when it involves one of the most politically expendable figures in the House.

“We would jump at the opportunity of an accelerated hearing,” said O’Higgins.

“In the interests of celery,” agreed Hogan. Sorry. “Celerity.” Away with them so. We won’t be holding our breath.

We’ve decided to dissolve The Callely Solidarity Movement. Even if poor Ivor says he is now a pariah without a moment’s peace. Couldn’t be bothered about him anymore. So little time, so many shoes to throw, too many targets...