Judge dismisses charges in ‘Golfgate’ trial

Judge Mary Fahy said there had been two distinct areas in the hotel which catered for two groups

Independent TD Noel Grealish and former Fianna Fáil senator Donie Cassidy, along with hoteliers John Sweeney and James Sweeney, each faced a summons related to organising an Oireachtas Golf Society event at the Station House Hotel in Clifden during pandemic restrictions on August 19, 2020. Picture: RollingNews.ie

A District Court judge dismissed charges this evening against four men accused of organising an Oireachtas Society Golf dinner in a Clifden hotel two years ago.

Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish (55), from Carnmore, Galway, and former Fianna Fáil senator Donie Cassidy (76), The Square, Castlepollard, Westmeath, along with hoteliers John Sweeney (61) and his son, James Sweeney (32), each denied organising the Oireachtas golf society event in breach of Covid-19 restrictions at the ...