After two days of questioning, the Seanad Members' Interests Committee concluded that Senator Ivor Callely had misrepresented his normal place of residence for the purpose of claiming expenses. The committee recommended that he should be suspended from the Seanad for 20 days without pay. This recommendation, the maximum that could be imposed, was approved by the Seanad without going to a vote.

Senator Callely insists that he has abided by the rules and has no plans to return any part of the 80k he claimed in expenses. Meanwhile the general public is wondering why the matter is not being investigated by An Garda Siochana.

Two injured in gangland shooting

In yet another gangland shooting two men have been hospitalised after they were injured when shots were fired into their car in the Finglas area of Dublin this morning. The victims were travelling in a white van when a car pulled alongside and shots were fired by a man armed with a handgun

200 new jobs for Letterkenny

US-headquartered health insurer United Health Group announced today that it plans to increase its workforce in Letterkenny from 340 to 540. The new recruits will perform similar work to the existing staff, processing medical claims and in IT roles.

Also today PFH, an indigenous technology company that recently acquired the Irish division of Siemens Enterprise Communications, gave details of an expansion programme that will see 80 additional staff hired for its Dublin and Cork offices.

Four funerals in Inishowen

The funerals of four of those who died in Sunday night's traffic accident in Inishowen are taking place today. This morning services were held in the churches in Clonmany and Cockhill, near Buncrana. Requiem Masses will again be held in both churches in the afternoon.

Another young man died on the roads in the early hours of today. The Brazilian national was  a backseat passenger in a car which collided with a cattle truck near Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon. 

For the fourth successive night rioters threw petrol bombs at PSNI officers in the Ardoyne area of Belfast. Plastic baton rounds were fired by the police but there were no reported injuries. Once again dissident republicans from outside the area were blamed for inciting the violence.

McIlroy leads British Open

Rory McIlroy is the early leader of the British open which started today at St Andrew's. He completed his bogey-free round with a nine-under 63, shooting seven birdies and one eagle. His nearest challengers, with most of the field still having to complete the round, are on six-under. These include tournament favourite Tiger Woods.

Todays Papers

Four different stories take the headlines this morning. The Irish Times leads with a report from the International Monetary Fund with the headline IMF report urges levy on bankers pay and financial institutions; the Irish Examiner looks to the inquiry into Ivor Callelys expenses with Inquiry senator linked to Callely home; and the Irish Independent returns to the threat of a flat rate property tax with Property tax plan to help fill 3.5bn budget hole.

The Irish News lead story refers to the disruption to the Belfast-Dublin rail link under the headline Rail link threatened by arson attack.

The Weather in Galway

It is a wet morning and promises to be even wetter, not a good outlook for St Swithins Day. Temperature 16C.

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