The legal career of former Fine Gael politician Liam Cosgrave jnr could be in question as he faces sentencing for failing to declare political donations.
This follows the ending of his political career in 2003 when, faced with disciplinary action, he resigned from the party.
The former leas-chathaoirleach of the Seanad was remanded on bail for sentence yesterday by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Liam Cosgrave (49), Merrion Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin, who was elected to the Seanad in 1989, pleaded guilty to knowingly furnishing a falsified donation statement where he failed to declare that he had received any single donation exceeding £500 between May 15th and December 31st, 1997.
The offence was revealed during the Flood tribunal, when it emerged that he had received donations of over £7,000 from political lobbyist Frank Dunlop.
The matter was then investigated and charges brought under the 1997 Electoral Act. It carries a penalty of a fine of up to €25,394 (formerly £20,000), or three years' imprisonment, or both, if the accused is convicted on indictment, as Cosgrave was.
However, Cosgrave is unlikely to face the maximum sentence, as he pleaded guilty, and this is always a mitigating factor in sentencing. The undisclosed amount of money he received, and the circumstances surrounding its non-disclosure, will also be taken into account, as will matters relating to his history and character.
However, he could face difficulties in his professional life as a solicitor as a result of the conviction. Having a criminal conviction does not inevitably lead to being struck off the Roll of Solicitors. The profession has been understanding to members who have had such convictions in the past, especially convictions for offences such as driving offences, that did not involve dishonesty.
But failing to disclose political donations, as required by legislation, requires the making of false statements. It also involves deceit of the Oireachtas, the primary law-making institution of the State, and one whose authority lawyers are expected to uphold.
Cosgrave will have to disclose his conviction when he applies, as solicitors must routinely do, for a renewal of his practising licence. It will then be a matter for the Law Society as to how it will treat his application.
He is the son of former taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and grandson of William T Cosgrave, president of the executive council of the Irish Free State from December 1922 to 1932.