Cassidy to face charges over 'Golfgate'

(Above) Donie Cassidy.

It is being reported that former senator and TD Donie Cassidy is one of four people to face charges in connection with alleged breaches of Covid-19 restrictions at an event organised by the Oireachtas Golf Society in Galway last August.

Castlepollard native Mr Cassidy was president of the golf society at the time of the event. It is believed that the society's then captain Independent TD Noel Grealish also faces charges, along with two people who helped organise the event.

An Garda Síochána issued this statement earlier today: “An Garda Síochána has received directions from the DPP in relation to the prosecution of four individuals for organising an event in contravention of health regulations at a commercial premises in Galway in August 2020.

“Summons have been lodged with the Courts and District Court dates in relation to each of the individuals are awaited. An Garda Síochána will not be commenting further."

In total, 81 guest attended the dinner at the Station House Hotel in Clifden last August, at a time when indoor gatherings were restricted to less than 50 people.

Among those in attendance were local Fianna Fail Senators Aidan Davitt and Paul Daly. In the fallout from the controversy that quickly became known as Golfgate, they both lost the party whip. However, it was restored last month.

The highest profile casualties from the event were Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary and the EU commissioner Phil Hogan, both of whom were forced to resign.

In a statement issued to the Westmeath Examiner last August, Mr Cassidy said that the event was held “under the department guidelines confirmed to us...by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF)".

"I would like to apologise unreservedly on behalf of the Oireachtas Golf Society Committee for the hurt caused. It was not our intention to disregard Government or Health authorities advise," Mr Cassidy said.