Donegal Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill has resigned from Fianna Fail this evening.
The State ethics watchdog today found he intentionally contravened ethics legislation when he claimed expenses while serving as a county councillor a decade ago.
The Standards in Public Office Commission found against him following an inquiry into his claims for travelling and subsistence expenses from two separate bodies for the same dates in 2006.
This evening, the Gortahork-based politician resigned from Fianna Fáil following the ruling.
However, it is understood he intends to continue in the Seanad as an Independent.
Mr Ó Domhnaill submitted claims to both Donegal County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta for the same dates on three occasions in 2006.
In March 2006, he travelled from his home in Falcarragh to Dundalk for a three-day conference but returned to Letterkenny on the second day for a meeting of the Donegal Sports Partnership, at which he represented Údáras na Gaeltachta.
He claimed almost €642 from Donegal County Council and just under €93 from Údáras.
In April 2006, he travelled to Carrickmacross for a two-day training seminar, returning to Letterkenny on the second day for another Donegal Sports Partnership meeting.
He claimed almost €500 from the Council and almost €77 from Údáras.
In May 2006, he travelled to a two-day tourism conference in Carlingford, Co Louth but left for a Donegal Sports Partnership event in Dungloe on the second day.
He claimed over €680 from the Council and just over €83 euro from Údáras.
Following an inquiry, SIPO found “that each contravention was committed intentionally and was, in all the circumstances, a serious matter.”
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