THE HIGH COURT has ruled that Senator Ivor Callely be paid almost €17,000 for loss of earnings over the Seanad decision to suspend him without pay for 20 days.

He was also awarded costs, RTÉ reports.

The court found that Callely’s right to fair procedures and natural justice had been breached.

RTÉ reports that Callely’s lawyers told the court their client was seeking damages for his loss of earnings in relation to the suspension, which was overturned by the court on January 14.

Callely is thought to have forfeited about €17,000 in earnings by virtue of that decision, which came on the back of a recommendation from the Seanad Select Committee on Members’ Interests which believed he had acted inappropriately in claiming travel expenses from an address in Cork while he remained resident in Dublin.

Conleth Bradley, SC, for the Seanad Committee, told the court he was “absolutely gobsmacked” to find that Callely was seeking damages over the case.

Last Friday, the Seanad voted to appeal the High Court’s ruling to the Supreme Court, after Callely told the house he welcomed the High Court’s ruling.

Read more at RTÉ News >

Additional reporting by Jennifer Wade