Political and Business Hall of Shame [Archive] - Page 2

KianD

25/05/2014, 5:42 PM

I think any jail sentence longer than six months for a criminal offence automatically disbars you from being a TD.

Only if currently sitting at the time of the sentence. A number of current TDs did a lot longer than 6 months - Dessie Ellis (8 years), Martin Ferris (10 years), Gerry Adams (3 years).

Only one TD was ever imprisoned for longer than 6 months while serving - Henry Coyle in the 1940s - but a few have been imprisoned for less, Liam Lawlor comes to mind, possibly Tony Gregory.

Eminence Grise

25/05/2014, 9:34 PM

Yes - I should have been clearer about that.

Eminence Grise

28/07/2014, 9:05 AM

Big day for Ivor Callelly today. Sentencing was due half a hour ago, but nothing to report yet.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/ivor-callely-to-be-sentenced-this-morning-1.1880454

Mr A

28/07/2014, 9:37 AM

Just saw on twitter that he got 5 months.

https://twitter.com/Courts_hack/status/493689290929758208

Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/ivor-callely-sentenced-to-five-months-in-prison-1.1880454

Nice one :)

Eminence Grise

28/07/2014, 9:51 AM

Nice one indeed! It's not a lengthy sentence, but it's rare enough that a public figure of any standing is punished at all, so maybe it will nudge along the idea that nobody is above the law.

I think he might have hoped for leniency after pleading guilty (maybe a suspended sentence?), but the judge's decision that his position as a politician was an aggravating factor counted against him. Proper order, too.

Spudulika

26/01/2015, 9:21 AM

Michelle Mulherin talked herself into a mess today (just listened to the Sean O'Rourke show). She described making calls to her Kenyan boyfriend as political business, but that she'd pay back the costs if she did something wrong. What is it with politicians? She got caught, all she had to do was say - yes, I made the calls, I'll pay them as usual - as I do with all my personal calls.

BonnieShels

27/01/2015, 7:43 AM

I honestly can't understand it like you.

It's easier to just own up and pay the cash. Mindboggling.

Spudulika

27/01/2015, 9:25 PM

I honestly can't understand it like you.

It's easier to just own up and pay the cash. Mindboggling.

I'm not making allowances Bonnie, I think she's a terrible politician, as a person I don't know her and 2nd hand reports are just that. But she comes across as an idiot. She has lied in public and probably nothing will happen.

The big fuss about Lowry covered a lot of her messing, and the new whistleblower claims (wow, Gardai still giving freebies to people with connections), but how can Lowry and Mulherin be elected?

Spudulika

28/01/2015, 4:29 AM

As snow falls (ffs I cannot deal with this white stuff anymore) I'm finishing watching the Claire Byrne fun hour on the RTE player. What the hell is wrong with that excuse for a politician Joan Burton? I had my doubts about her when she was in opposition, and more and more she's embarassing herself and her party. Her sneering, insulting manner is killing the Labour party. I'm just wondering about what is going to pop out of the closet about her.

Eminence Grise

05/03/2015, 1:34 PM

Brian O'Donnell, bankrupt solicitor with a glue-like attachment to his €7,000,000 house on Vico Rd and such an overweening sense of entitlement that he knows the law doesn't apply to him. Utterly delusional.

But not as delusional as his pal, Jerry Beades, developer, one-time FFer and now key figure in the New Land League, who described the mansion as simplistic and bog standard. Yup. Because every house in Ireland built by developers like him has a swimming pool and tennis court as standard.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0305/684617-odonnell/
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/profile-beades-the-builder-in-a-league-of-his-own-31039115.html

Spudulika

05/03/2015, 2:35 PM

EG, I have been trying to figure this one out as it makes very little sense. Why is he not treated like other people who have been served eviction notices and turfed out? Or like water meter protestors and manhandled out of the way. In no way do I condone any mistreatment of a citizen of any country, and in many ways I abhor the thought of people being put out of their homes (which is what is on the cards here), but this case is slightly in excess. He had/has a "portfolio" of valuable properties, his house is worth a bundle, and he's been told to vacate. So why the wait?

Charlie Darwin

05/03/2015, 3:10 PM

Spudulika

05/03/2015, 3:50 PM

Because he's been able to drag it through the courts with help from other solicitors and professionals, plus he transferred the house to his children so he's now arguing that the bank can't put a claim on it.

Thanks Charlie, I'd not followed the story and only picked up little bits from tv or radio. I saw the video of Vincent Browne going after the LL guy, it was a bit unfair but I guess it's the mood of the moment.

There is a strata of Irish society which operates in a bubble, I suppose this is evidence of the same.

Charlie Darwin

05/03/2015, 4:03 PM

Thanks Charlie, I'd not followed the story and only picked up little bits from tv or radio. I saw the video of Vincent Browne going after the LL guy, it was a bit unfair but I guess it's the mood of the moment.

There is a strata of Irish society which operates in a bubble, I suppose this is evidence of the same.
I don't think he was unfair - the man is insufferable and anybody would have lost their patience with him. Then again, so is every other Fianna Failer.

jbyrne

05/03/2015, 4:31 PM

in many ways I abhor the thought of people being put out of their homes (which is what is on the cards here)

its not even his home. the parents live in england currently, probably to get an easier bankruptcy. they cant claim to live in england to take advantage of their bankruptcy laws and then claim they are being kicked out of their Irish home at the same time. the sense of entitlement here is bewildering

Spudulika

05/03/2015, 5:31 PM

its not even his home. the parents live in england currently, probably to get an easier bankruptcy. they cant claim to live in england to take advantage of their bankruptcy laws and then claim they are being kicked out of their Irish home at the same time. the sense of entitlement here is bewildering

Wait, this is a whole other side. Christ, it's stunning. Makes me feel lucky to live in the equlity ridden paradise that is Russia (feel dirty writing that, even as a joke).

BonnieShels

17/05/2016, 5:39 PM

Oh Ivor Ivor Ivor...

http://m.rte.ie/news/2016/0517/789041-ivor-callely/

I was passing by Liffey Valley today on the way home from college and my mind was cast back to Liam Lawlor and then naturally Ray Burke and CJ and P Flynn... I forgot about Ivor.

I'm so glad that FF are now back in a position of power. Especially one where they are trying to legislate for mortgage rates. Hmmm. Gotta love the obsession.

Eminence Grise

02/08/2016, 9:00 PM

So who is this fine, upstanding pillock of society, elected to public office? And why, if he has allegedly been arrested for drink driving and assaulting, a Garda has he not been named, like every other Joe Soap would have been? (Rhetorical questions that need no answers - libel lawyers are fierce expensive!)

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/politician-arrested-three-times-at-indiependence-music-festival-in-cork-747695.html

BonnieShels

02/08/2016, 9:20 PM

I know I know... It's the Social Democrats Senator Error 404

Eminence Grise

02/08/2016, 10:58 PM

It's a great old country - every body knows, but not a single national media source has given his name. Public interest versus right to privacy is all well and good, and an ex member of the Oireachtas, you could argue, would no longer a public figure. Equally, I've seen the point made that the three incidents are allegations, but it is a matter of fact that he was arrested, and that can be reported without falling foul of libel laws (rember Clare Daly's arrest?). But the fact that not one media source has broken ranks is very, very interesting. Someone's press office has gone into overdrive in the last 24 hours calling in favours or twisting arms....

Charlie Darwin

03/08/2016, 1:01 AM

I know I know... It's the Social Democrats Senator Error 404
A former Social Democrat now... ALLEGEDLY.

Eminence Grise

03/08/2016, 8:13 AM

Confirmed now.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/exsenator-held-three-times-over-weekend-also-breached-crime-scene-34934068.html

SkStu

03/08/2016, 4:30 PM

suspected drink driving? Erratic behaviour?

If you ask me it sounds like he was snorting marijuana or something like that.

Mr A

03/08/2016, 6:44 PM

Saw some stuff on twitter that seemed to indicate he may have had some sort of breakdown and people were concerned for his welfare.

Charlie Darwin

03/08/2016, 11:55 PM

suspected drink driving? Erratic behaviour?

If you ask me it sounds like he was snorting marijuana or something like that.
Hopped up on goofballs no question, I've seen this before.

NeverFeltBetter

11/06/2018, 3:25 PM

Michael Lowry goes on trial for tax fraud: https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2018/0611/969702-michael-lowry-garuda-ltd/

It's too much to hope they'd finally get him for something.

Eminence Grise

13/06/2018, 4:06 PM

I'm not overly optimistic. And whenever his time as a TD is up, I'm sure there'll be a son or daughter primed to step up.

Still, we live in hope...

dahamsta

15/06/2018, 2:55 PM

Can you run for office if you're convicted? Because Tipp would still vote for him if they could.

Eminence Grise

15/06/2018, 4:22 PM

If the conviction has a sentence of six months or less you can still run. Anything over that is a disqualification from running and, afaik, remaining in office.

The Fly

20/06/2018, 3:22 PM

David Drumm sentenced to 6 years.

Eminence Grise

21/06/2018, 2:59 PM

So, a quarter off automatically and five months discounted as time served in the US - three years seven months. The Minister or Justice can remit up to one-third of the sentence (whether it's off the six years or the reduced amount I don't know) so he could serve even less. But it's still a damn sight more than he thought he'd get and it might send a shiver up a few spines topped with white collars.

Meanwhile, in no way connected to fraud, Tipperary paragon of virtue Michael Lowry has successfully had one of the charges he's facing dropped.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/michael-lowry-has-one-charge-dropped-from-income-tax-trial-37031998.html . One down, eight to go....

jbyrne

26/06/2018, 3:09 PM

I'm not overly optimistic. And whenever his time as a TD is up, I'm sure there'll be a son or daughter primed to step up.

Still, we live in hope...

lowry found guilty. with a bit of luck himself and drummer will be sharing slopping out duties very soon.

(edit: no such luck, just a €15,000 fine)

Eminence Grise

26/06/2018, 5:06 PM

Plus a 10k fine for Garuda, and he's also disqualified from being a company director for three years, reduced from five by the judge. Ah well, at least we can now refer to him as 'convicted tax cheat Michael Lowry' for ever more. Take comfort where you find it...:p*
https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2018/0626/973306-michael-lowry-court/

* at least until the fecker is successful on appeal...

dahamsta

27/06/2018, 7:59 PM

Ah sure twas all a big feckin mistake, says the judge. He might as well have given him a clip around the ear and a sly wink. Boys will be boys, eh?

Eminence Grise

28/06/2018, 10:08 AM

I'm not overly optimistic. And whenever his time as a TD is up, I'm sure there'll be a son or daughter primed to step up.

Still, we live in hope...

Irish politics is so bloody predictable it's putting clairvoyants out of business...
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/fine-gael-hopeful-lowrys-son-will-run-for-the-party-when-his-td-father-retires-37058455.html

Eminence Grise

10/07/2018, 10:30 PM

David Drumm racks up another conviction - 15 months suspended for ten counts of giving illegal loans.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2018/0710/977736-david-drumm-anglo/

Eminence Grise

11/09/2018, 6:23 AM

Biscuits and boobs made me corrupt says former FF councillor.

Clearly the kind of man for whom they put the nob in chocolate hobnob.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/councillor-in-rt-sting-claims-he-was-the-victim-of-honeytrap-by-blonde-bombshell-37303750.html

The Fly

16/09/2020, 9:12 PM

Here's a blast from the past...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0wAbQUMfWs

Stuttgart88

22/09/2021, 12:38 PM

Allegations against Brendan Mullin (http://https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/former-ireland-rugby-star-brendan-mullin-accused-of-stealing-500000-from-bank-of-ireland-while-he-was-a-director-40873004.html). Formerly of Davy stockbrokers, itself no stranger to controversy.