FINE Gael election candidate John McGahon has broken his silence about the controversial pub assault.
The incident which happened outside a pub in 2018 has cause a headache for party leader Simon Harris – who has been questioned about supporting the senator’s Dail run.
Senator McGahon was found not guilty in a trial in 2022 for physically attacking Breen White outside a Co Louth pub.
However, the Louth rep was found 65 per cent liable for damages in a subsequent civil trial and was ordered to pay €39,000.
But in a plea to his constituents, Senator McGahon issued a letter to voters asking them for support in the upcoming election.
He distributed flyers in Louth asking people to give him their “Number 1 vote” or “highest transfer”, according to The Independent.
The letters, with a handwritten design, were delivered through post-boxes in Dundalk.
The Senator said we are at a “crucial moment” as these election votes make will affect “the future of our country”.
He said: “I have worked my heart out for county Louth”.
“I love our county, it’s my home and I am very proud of the work we have achieved here.”
Mr McGahon warned that this election is “going to be really close, so please make sure to vote”.
He added: “Helping people is the most rewarding part of my job and it has been a privilege to do that over the past 10 years as a councillor and then as a senator.”
The Fine Gael leader said he is “not sure” whether he will allow party colleague John McGahon to canvass with him in Co Louth.
Simon Harris said he needs to reflect on having John McGahon with his canvass team if he visits in the county ahead of Friday’s election.
Mr McGahon’s candidacy has been criticised by members of other parties.
He was found not guilty of assaulting a man outside a Dundalk nightclub in a criminal case two years ago, but a High Court civil action earlier this year found him liable and he was ordered to pay damages.
‘I’M NOT SURE’
It is not clear whether Mr Harris will visit the Co Louth consistency in the coming days.
Asked if he will allow Mr McGahon to join the Fine Gael canvass team, Mr Harris said: “I’m not sure is the honest answer.
“John McGahon is a duly selected Fine Gael candidate. He’s on the ticket, as is councillor Paula Butterly, and it’s up to the people of Louth to decide if they wish to vote Fine Gael which candidate to support.
“I’ve made it very clear my view in relation to violence and I’d need to reflect on that. So I’m not sure is the honest answer.”
Asked if he would ask tell Mr McGahon to leave if he appeared, Mr Harris said: “No, we are not in that space at all.”
The Fine Gael leader later said that there would be a need for the party “to reflect further” on its code of conduct.
He said: “I certainly think it was utterly inappropriate behaviour, I’m very clear in relation to that.”
Earlier this week, Mr Harris was asked if voters in Louth should vote for Mr McGahon.
He said he understood why people were “horrified” over a video of the incident, adding he was “very angry” about the matter.
“I abhor violence. He went through a process, he was found not guilty. If he was found guilty it would be a very different situation,” he added.
