Taoiseach Simon Harris has expressed his endorsement for Senator John McGahon’s Fine Gael candidacy in Louth, despite a judicial decree requiring McGahon to pay €39,000 linked to an aggression outside a pub. McGahon was exonerated in a criminal proceedings resulting from the Dundalk pub incident in 2018, but Breen White, a Castleblaney farmer from Co Monaghan, took him to the High Court accusing him of assault and battery.
McGahon contested these allegations, claiming he was the victim and had reacted in self-defence. The High Court jury ruled in favour of White and assigned a sum of €60,000, inclusive of €10,000 for exacerbated damages, leading Justice Alexander Owens to render a verdict for €39,000 against McGahon.
“I fully supports John’s aspirations for a Louth Fine Gael nomination,” mentioned the Taoiseach on Wednesday. He admitted that the episode was unacceptable. Nonetheless, he’s confident that McGahon is repentant and has pledged that such an occurrence will not reoccur.
Despite the incident transpiring prior to Joe’s tenure in the Oireachtas, the Taoiseach stressed the significance of McGahon being found innocent of the criminal accusations, referring to this as “the decisive factor”.
When discussing the apparent absence of political repercussions for McGahon, Harris conveyed that the political implications will fall upon the Louth Fine Gael members, and potentially Louth voters, to review McGahon’s candidacy based on the available information.
Reiterating his expectation for exemplary behaviour, the Taoiseach acquiesced to McGahon being an “exceptionally industrious Seanad Éireann member” and commended his valuable influence on politics as a young politician.
Harris’s comments were made to signify the appointment of Nikki Bradley, a disability rights advocate, to the Seanad, succeeding Regina Doherty who took her place in the European Parliament.
He expressed his admiration for Miss Bradley’s contributions and was pleased to be able to acknowledge her efforts and provide her a platform. Miss Bradley, originally from Donegal, didn’t dismiss the possibility of forming part of the Fine Gael team for the Dáil in days to come. The Seanad role, she stated, was the “privilege of her existence” and she was earnestly looking forward to carrying on her duties in the Seanad.
She held the belief that her appointment demonstrated to individuals having disabilities that all is achievable, particularly for the younger generation. Mr Harris suggested that Miss Bradley’s role on a national level will be crucial and emphasised that the Oireachtas team from Donegal was predominantly male. Even though he stated that the general election matters would be addressed another time, he assured her of his unwavering support.
Mr Harris expressed his desire for the implementation of a new strategy for disability and the acceptance of the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, among other strategic measures to enhance disability rights. He added that it was significant that advocates possessing “actual lived experiences” like Miss Bradley were given importance.