Former Olympian reaps benefit of independent senators’ allowance

Eamonn Coghlan: joined Fine Gael two years ago Picture: Maura Hickey

Three-time Olympian Eamonn Coghlan is still claiming a “leader’s allowance” of over €20,000 per year despite joining Fine Gael two years ago.

The tax-free allowance is paid to all independent senators to help fund their work, on top of their €65,000 salary and their expenses.

Coghlan is legally entitled to retain the leader’s allowance under the rules because he was an independent senator when ...