FG candidate in upcoming election faces summer trial for assault
A FINE GAEL general election candidate, who recently made public appearances with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, will stand trial in the summer for assault.
Louth county councillor John McGahon is to ‘fully defend’ an assault charge, Dundalk District Court recently heard.
The Fine Gael councillor, who also works in Leinster House as a personal assistant, is charged with assaulting a man causing him harm in Park Street, Dundalk, on June 16, 2018. Mr McGahon has been selected to run for Fine Gael in the next general election, alongside
Taoiseach canvassed constituency
former Minister Fergus O’Dowd.
Mr McGahon appeared in court on the matter earlier this month.
The defendant, aged 28, of Faughart Gardens, St Patrick’s Terrace, was before Judge John Coughlan for a brief hearing.
Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was handed into court by Sgt Fintan McGroder.
He said the file, including a medical report, is complete, and sought an adjournment of one month.
Mr McGahon’s solicitor Conor MacGuill requested a longer adjournment and said the case will be defended fully.
Mr MacGuill added he has a medical report ‘from a different source’ and wants to analyse the two documents.
The solicitor asked the judge to delay making a decision on jurisdiction. Sgt McGroder said jurisdiction couldn’t be dealt with at this time.
Judge Coughlan adjourned the case to June 5 next, when it will be mentioned.
He made a disclosure order and a Section 56 order, which relates to a copy of any recording of the questioning of the defendant by gardaí while detained in connection with an offence being given to the accused or his legal representative.
When the judge asked about legal aid, Mr MacGuill confirmed it was not required.
When contacted by the Irish Mail on Sunday, Mr McGahon did not reply to calls or text messages.
A spokesman for the Fine Gael party said he did not want to comment on the matter as it is before the courts.
He also said that Mr Varadkar would not comment either.
Mr Varadkar canvassed in the Louth constituency earlier this year.
The incident that is now before the courts happened last summer.
Mr McGahon is the nephew of former Fine Gael Louth TD Brendan McGahon.
He studied politics at University College Dublin and has also worked for political organisations in Liverpool, London and Dublin.
Mr McGahon was selected to run for Fine Gael in Louth at a convention last autumn.
The sitting Fine Gael deputy, Peter Fitzpatrick, has announced that he would not put his name forward for selection.
Mr Fitzpatrick’s decision not to run for selection caused discomfort for Mr Varadkar, who needs every vote his party can get because of the Government’s minority status. Mr Fitzpatrick’s decision came just days before the October budget.