After failing to turn up for a court action to have him jailed, disgraced former politician Ivor Callely has handed himself in more than week after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Callely (58) of St Lawrence’s Road, Clontarf, was jailed for five months in 2014 for using false invoices to claim expenses €4,207.45 at Leinster House, Kildare Street, between November 2007 and December 2009 while he was a member of the Seanad.

In an unrelated case, a bench warrant for his arrest was issued on May 17th by Dublin District Court. The proceedings result from his failure to comply with terms of a 2013 District Court judgment compelling him to pay a €1,755 debt, provide details of his means or else face jail. Last week the court also heard he failed to provide the documentation.

He owes the money to Galway-based accountants Gallagher & Company who have asked the court to issue a committal order.

He appeared in custody on Wednesday evening before Judge John Brennan at Dublin District Court. Dressed in a dark blazer and grey trousers he remained silent during the proceedings.

‘No reply’

Garda Patrick Watson told the court that at 4pm on that day he arrested Mr Callely by appointment at the court on foot of the bench warrant. When cautioned he made “no reply”.

Garda Watson furnished him with a copy of the warrant and told the court there was no objection to bail.

Defence solicitor Pádraig Donovan handed in a medical certificate explaining that was the reason why his client did not appear in court last week. He confirmed the civil proceedings related to a debt and added that it was hoped for a resolution in two or three weeks.

Judge Brennan granted bail in Mr Callely’s own bond of €100 and ordered him to appear again on June 8th when civil proceedings will resume. After an hour in custody he emerged from the court house.

Last month Mr Callely, who claims he has needs a €2,500 a month “for a reasonable living”, had said he had done his best to contact the creditor about the debt but Judge Michael Coghlan told him he was in contempt of court orders and was facing jail.