Galway councillor Michael "Stroke" Fahy is expected to attend his first meeting of Galway County Council later today after the Court of Criminal Appeal last week set aside his conviction for fraud and attempted theft and ordered a retrial.
Mr Fahy was sentenced last March to 12 months imprisonment and fined €75,000 when found guilty at Galway Circuit Criminal Court of misappropriating county council funds and attempted theft. He began his sentence in April and was not due for release until January.
On Wednesday last the Court of Criminal Appeal set aside the conviction and ordered a retrial.
Mr Fahy, who resigned from Fianna Fáil after he was charged, did not resign his seat on Galway County Council when he was convicted. He is expected to resume public duty straight away having attended a local area meeting on Thursday evening in Loughrea.
This afternoon's meeting of Galway County Council takes place at County Hall in the city centre.