MMA Lawyers solicitor Shaune Irving to face internal investigation after being charged with perjury and making a false declaration

A Gold Coast based criminal law firm will conduct an internal investigation after one of its solicitors was arrested for alleged offending.

A GOLD Coast-based criminal law firm will conduct an internal investigation after one of its solicitors was arrested for allegedly committing perjury and making a false declaration.

Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers solicitor Shaune Irving was granted bail in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday where he was charged with perjury for giving false testimony at a Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) hearing in January.

He was arrested on Friday and kept in the Brisbane watchhouse overnight.

Irving is also charged with three counts of making a false verified statement, in June, July and August, last year. Irving denies any wrongdoing.

Police allege Irving falsely stated a woman was driving his Mercedes-Benz when it was booked for speeding last year.

Solicitor Shaune Irving. Picture: AAP Image/Jono Searle

Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers principal Campbell MacCallum said any investigation by the CCC must be taken “very seriously”.

“The alleged offences have no connection to our firm nor his conduct as a lawyer. The partners will be meeting as soon as practicable to discuss the immediate future of an employee who has potentially brought our firm into disrepute, notwithstanding the alleged offences were not done in the course of his employment nor have any connection to our firm,” he said.

Mr MacCallum said it was important to know that there had been “no adverse impact” on any of their clients.

“We expect the highest level of professionalism from our staff. At the very least there will be co-operation with the CCC inquiries and in addition, Mr Irving will be under strict supervision from myself as the head of our Criminal Law Division and will be on reduced duties until our own internal investigation has been thoroughly complete,” he said.

“He is innocent unless proven otherwise. This is also bound to have some effect on his mental health and that is my first priority in the next day or so to ensure his welfare and that of his young family.”