Former junior minister Ivor Callely has begun a 5 month jail sentence for making bogus mobile phone expense claims.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring said while politicians are not expected to be super human, they can't cut corners and rely on entitlements to explain misbehaviour or criminal acts.
Pleas of leniency appeared to fall on deaf ears as Judge Mary Ellen Ring jailed Ivor Callely for not only breaking the law but breaching the trust the public had placed in him as a politician.
The court heard the former Fianna Fail senator submitted 6 bogus mobile phone expense claims for a total of 4, 200 euro using fake invoices from defunct businesses between 2007 and 2009.
His lawyers say he's remorseful and knows he let himself and his former constituents down.
In the dock the 56 year old separated father of three appeared to be praying under his breath.
On being handed down a 5 months he looked around court slightly stunned before being led into custody.
