The chief executive of Longford County Council has admitted breaching ethics rules when he failed to disclose his ownership of a house bought with State funds.

Tim Caffrey appeared before a hearing at the Standards in Public Office Commission today, after it emerged be owned a property which was bought for €259,000 with money from the Department of the Environment.

He said he has always sought to comply with ethics rules - but 'did not know' he had to notify Longford County Council.

The Irish Times political reporter, Sarah Bardon, says the outcome of the hearing will be known in the weeks ahead.

"Members of the Standards in Public Office Commission must decide whether this a minor or a serious nature and whether he failed to disclose his interests in the property on the basis of negligence on the basis of maliciousness" she told Newstalk Lunchtime.

"They are now seeking to compile a report to determine that - and the report will be made available to the interested parties over the coming weeks" she added.