When I mentioned pram and playthings I didn’t think it would get more kindergarten like. (Ok it is Ivor so nothing should surprise me!)

Other than the lust for judgement I love the bit about the media’s ‘attention to accuracy, balance and fairness is subservient to the requirements of sensationalism at the expense of truth’. This from the man who submitted invoices from a company that went out of business years ago.

Tonights statement from Senator Ivor Callely’s solicitors

As appointed Legal Advisors to Senator Ivor Callely we wish to correct some inaccuracies in the public arena.

Contrary to recent publicity it is confirmed that Senator Callely’s resignation was prompted solely by the refusal of the committee to allow him the opportunity to vindicate his name by granting him an adjournment and by their decision to substantially rely on the various sensationalist claims made by particular print media who’s attention to accuracy, balance and fairness is subservient to the requirements of sensationalism at the expense of truth.

The entire session dealt with procedural issues only meaning that the occasion for Senator Callely to give evidence did not arise.

The fact that no evidence was given by Senator Callely emphasizes the Committee’s lust for Judgment based substantially on the Mail on Sunday’s allegations rather than detailing any specific complaint. This vindicates Senator Callely’s requirement for the particularization of the unspecified complaints made against him.

The entirety of the session at which Senator Calley was in attendance dealt with procedural matters and the requirements for fair procedure and he played no part in the deliberations of the committee made against him thereafter in his absence.

Get the violins and tissues out – Senator Ivor Callely has left Fianna Fáil. He has resigned because the FF committee investigating him would not ‘particularize’ his conduct unbecoming a party member. Well the solicitors who issued the statement won’t win plain english awards – or maybe it’s Ivor’s version of refudiate! He has a history of a particular way with words alright!.

This of course is not Senator Callely leaving the Seanad and he can’t be thrown out no matter what the Seanad members interests committee decide to do with him.

The statement was issued through his solicitors:

“It is with deep regret that Senator Callely has resigned from the Fianna Fail party with immediate effect.

Senator Callely’s resignation arose following a refusal of the Fianna Fail Committee on inquiry to grant an adjournment on his legal Counsel’s application for the purposes of refuting the allegations
made against him and because of the refusal of the Committee to particularize alleged conduct ‘unbecoming a member’ of the Fianna Fail party.

Senator Callely considers the Committee’s findings as constituting a denial of fair procedures to allow him to vindicate his name and refute the allegations made against him.

After Senator Callely’s dedication to the Fianna Fáil party in public life over a period of 25 years, he is ádevastated at the refusal to accord him fair procedures which makes his resignation inevitable because to have acted otherwise would have afforded legitimacy to an enquiry that denied him fair procedures.

Senator Callely will now concentrate on clearing his name before the Seanad Select Committee and will be making no further statement at this time.