Senator O’Domhnaill
The taxpayer has spent almost €300,000 bringing a case against Donegal Senator Brian O Domhnaill over alleged duplication of expenses worth just €2,000.
The Standards in Public Office (Sipo) Commission has spent the money as part of its investigation into the former Fianna Fail county councillor.
Documents released to TheJournal.ie under the Freedom of Information Act show that just over €297,750 has been spent on legal and translation fees, as well as court costs.
Back in May, a public hearing of Sipo heard Ó Domhnaill claimed travel and subsistence expenses from DCC for three meetings he attended in March, April and May 2006.
He claimed travel and subsistence expenses from Údarás na Gaeltachta (Ú na G) for meetings taking place in other locations on the same dates.
Ó Domhnaill denied any wrongdoing and said he filled out his expense claims “as honestly as he could”.
As of 10 May, Sipo received invoices from law firm A&L Goodbody topping €156,000.
The commission has also spent over €25,000 on translation services from Snasta.
Sipo’s senior counsel Lúan Ó Braonáin has submitted invoices for over €67,000. In total, over €93,000 – including Ó Braonáin’s fee – has been paid out to barristers involved in the case.
High Court fees in connection with the case cost Sipo over €21,000.
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