A FORMER DUP councillor has pleaded guilty to fraud charges after a court was told he had heating oil delivered to his home but invoiced the DUP office where he worked.
William Irwin (55), from Duncastle Road in Newbuildings on the outskirts of Derry, appeared at the city's magistrates court on Monday where he admitted all 23 charges.
Irwin, is the brother-in-law of former Assembly Speaker William Hay, who is now in the House of Lords.
A prosecution lawyer said that the charges - which date from March 2009 to February 2014 - related to home heating oil valued at almost £9,000 being delivered to Irwin's home which he then invoiced through the DUP constituency office at Ebrington Terrace.
The lawyer said it was therefore being paid out of the public purse through the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Irwin's defence barrister said his client was instructed to enter a plea of guilty in relation to all the charges.
District Judge Barney McElholm ordered pre-sentence reports ahead of sentencing on April 1.
During the period of the offences, Irwin was a constituency office worker in the DUP's main Waterside office.
He had previously represented the party on Derry City Council from 1993 until 1997.
