A Fianna Fáil election candidate in Tipperary South who is charged with public order offences has had his case adjourned until after the general election.
Mattie McGrath, Garreneasey, Newcastle, has been charged with assault causing harm to two men under the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act; using or threatening to use unlawful violence under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act; and using or engaging in threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour under the Public Order Act.
Mr McGrath, a councillor, was charged following an incident in Newcastle, near Clonmel, at 12.30am on August 14th last year.
At Clonmel District Court yesterday, Mr McGrath again pleaded not guilty to all three charges. Judge Terence Finn adjourned the case until June 12th to allow further time for the book of evidence to be prepared and indicated that the case may be sent forward to the Circuit Court.
Six other men from the village of Newcastle, charged with lesser public order offences arising from the same incident, also pleaded not guilty and also had their cases adjourned until June 12th.
They are Edmund McGrath, Garreneasey; Christopher Cullinan, Jason Aherne, James Lonergan and Stuart Forbes, all of Liam Lynch Terrace, and Anthony O'Dwyer, Garrincasey.
Mr McGrath, a member of South Tipperary County Council, is one of three Fianna Fáil candidates in Tipperary South.
