A hearing at the Standards in Public Office Commission into a double expense claim made by Donegal Councillor Terence Slowey ended today with its findings to be issued in due course.
Cllr Slowey told the hearing that he has ‘paid enormous price politically for this.’
Evidence was given from Bernard McGuinness, chairman of the Fine Gael Donegal County Council group, who also said Cllr Slowey had paid ‘an enormous price.’
He said Fine Gael had Cllr Slowey in mind for the position of Mayor, he also would have been a candidate in the Donegal South West by-election and the General Election.
Mr McGuinness also said it was ‘only natural’ that he would have been selected for the Seanad elections, but for the ongoing investigation by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Cllr Slowey accepted that it was wrong to make two claims for travel expenses and subsistence, from Donegal to Kerry and from Donegal to Cork, on the same weekend in October 2008.
He said he was ‘very busy’ the day he filled out the forms but acknowledged that it was ‘entirely incorrect’ and said it was a mistake he ‘very much regrets.’
Legal representatives for Cllr Slowey told the hearing that he did go to both conferences that weekend, had co-operated with the inquiry from a very early stage, and there had been no financial loss to anyone because Cllr Slowey repaid all expenses to Donegal County Council and the Border Regional Authority.
Commission Chairman Justice MP Smyth said the board would report its findings in three to four weeks.
