Former minister Dara Calleary expected to give evidence in ‘Golfgate’ trial

Former minister for agriculture Dara Calleary is expected to give evidence when the trial resumes this week of four men accused of breaching Covid-19 regulations in relation to an Oireachtas golf society event.

Independent TD Noel Grealish, former Fianna Fáil senator Donie Cassidy, and hoteliers John Sweeney and James Sweeney each deny they organised an Oireachtas golf society event in breach of pandemic restrictions at the Station House Hotel in Clifden on August 19th,2020.

When the trial opened before Judge Mary Fahy at Galway District Court, the prosecution contended that 81 invited guests attended a dinner at the hotel when, it claimed, the organisation of an event with more than 50 people was prohibited.

The defence has argued there was no breach of the Health Act as amended and that those attending the dinner were accommodated in two separate rooms of the hotel.

The trial was adjourned on January 7th last after two days at hearing due to scheduling pressures on the District Court. It is due to resume on Thursday.

Resigned

Mr Calleary, a Fianna Fáil TD, apologised and resigned as minister for agriculture on August 20th, 2020, over his attendance at the event.

European commissioner Phil Hogan and leas-cathaoirleach of the Seanad Jerry Buttimer also resigned their positions, while six senators lost their party whip.

Mr Calleary is expected to be among a small number of witnesses yet to give evidence in the trial which is expected to conclude on Thursday.

A Supreme Court judge and former attorney general, Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe, and former Labour senator Lorraine Higgins, who both attended the event, were among more than 20 witnesses who gave evidence in the case. Other witnesses included several members of the hotel staff.

Mr Grealish (55), of Carnmore, Co Galway, and Mr Cassidy (75), of Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, face a single charge that, on August 19th, 2020, they organised an event that contravened the Health Act 1947, as amended, to prevent, limit, minimise or slow the spread of Covid-19.

John Sweeney (61), the owner of the Station House Hotel, and his son James (32), the hotel’s general manager, have been charged with the same offence. All four deny the charge.