Taoiseach Simon Harris 'not sure' if he will canvass with under fire John McGahon
The Fine Gael leader told reporters that he has made his “view in relation to violence” clear and emphasised that the party has two candidates running in Louth for election.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he does not know if he would allow Senator John McGahon to join him on the campaign trail if he travels to Louth.
The Fine Gael leader told reporters that he has made his “view in relation to violence” clear and emphasised that the party has two candidates running in Louth for election.
Just last week, Mr Harris indicated that he would be willing to canvass with the Senator.
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Videos of an altercation between Mr McGahon and farmer Breen White during a late-night altercation outside a Louth pub started circulating online earlier this month.
Mr White, from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, sued Mr McGahon for assault and battery outside the Rum House pub in Dundalk, Co Louth, on June 16, 2018. Mr McGahon, who was elected to the Seanad after the incident, denied the claims and said he was assaulted and acted in self-defence.
In July, a High Court civil jury awarded Mr White €39,000 following the alleged assault. It apportioned blame at 65 per cent against Mr McGahon and 35 per cent against Mr White. A separate criminal trial found Mr McGahon not guilty of assault.
Speaking following a Fine Gael “rally” in Trim Castle Hotel, Mr Harris was asked if he would allow Mr McGahon to canvass with him if he travels to Louth over the coming days.
The Taoiseach 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. 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. I’d need to reflect on that so I'm not sure.
“No [I wouldn’t ask him to leave if he showed up]. We’re not in that space at all.
“But whether I do or don't get to canvass with Senator McGahon is a matter I'm not yet decided on.”
Mr Harris said that he will continue to canvass on Thursday and until 10pm on Friday when the voting closes.
Last week during a trip to Naas, Mr Harris indicated that he might be willing to canvass with Mr McGahon.
He said: “I'm quite sure he'll be out canvassing in Louth, asking people in his constituency who know him very well to support him. I will be in Louth before the election.”
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