Fine Gael declines to comment on McGahon assault case

Fine Gael has declined to comment on a High Court case in which one of the party’s senators, John McGahon, was ordered to pay a man €39,000 following a late night assault outside a Co Louth pub.

Sources said it would be premature to comment as the case is expected return to the courts next week to deal with the issue of costs.

Breen White, a farmer from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, sued Mr McGahon in the High Court for assault and battery outside the Rum House pub in Dundalk on 16 June 2018.

Mr McGahon was elected to the Seanad after the incident.

He denied the claims, said he was assaulted and acted in self-defence.

Yesterday a High Court jury found Mr White had been assaulted and awarded €60,000, including €10,000 for aggravated damages.

It apportioned blame at 65% to Mr McGahon and 35% against Mr White.

In 2022, Mr McGahon of Faughart Gardens, Dundalk was cleared by a Circuit Court jury in Dundalk on a charge of assault causing harm to Mr White related to the incident.