A case involving a former Donegal mayor who claimed expenses from two state agencies for travel on the same day has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) found that Dessie Larkin broke ethics legislation by claiming expenses from the local authority and the regional assembly for travel and subsistence.

Mr Larkin was also found to have submitted claims to Donegal County Council for attendance at two conferences in Co Roscommon and Co Mayo, without taking the shortest route.

SIPO has also recommended a reform of expenses claim forms and ethics undertakings by councillors.

In a statement, SIPO says: "The Standards Commission has found that former Donegal County Councillor Dessie Larkin contravened ethics legislation when he submitted claims for travelling and subsistence expenses."

"It found that he submitted claims to both the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly for attending a meeting of the Assembly and to Donegal County Council for attendance at a conference on the same date and that he submitted claims to Donegal County Council for attendance at two conferences in Ballinlough, County Roscommon and Westport, County Mayo without claiming expenses for the shortest overall route."

"The Standards Commission has sent its investigation report to the Director of Public Prosecutions."

"The Standards Commission has also made recommendations to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for reform of expenses claim forms and ethics undertakings by councillors," it adds.