Sean Conlan TD assault case adjourned until after polling day

A sitting TD and General Election candidate accused of assault causing harm has had his case adjourned until after polling day.
Former Fine Gael Deputy and now Independent candidate Sean Conlan TD (42) of 78 Main Street, Ballybay, Co Monaghan, is accused of assault causing harm on Enda Duffy of Annahia, Ballybay, at the family-owned Conlan’s Bar, Main Street, Ballybay, on August 23 of last year.
The Cavan-Monaghan Deputy is further charged, under Section 11 of the Firearms Act, with the production of a broken pint glass during the course of a dispute at the same location and date.
This morning (January 26), Inspector Kevin Gavigan told Carrickmacross District Court that the matter was in for a decision on whether the court could accept jurisdiction.
Judge Denis McLoughlin said he was adjourning the case to allow for more time to make his decision. At a previous hearing photos of the alleged injuries were submitted to the court.
Deputy Conlan, who was in court accompanied by his partner, had his case adjourned to March 9.
Judge McLoughlin remanded Mr Conlan on his existing bail of €100, which also stipulated that he not contact the alleged victim nor any witness in the case.
Mr Conlan, who resigned from Fine Gael in November amid party acrimony, did not speak during the short hearing and was also accompanied by his solicitor James McGuill.
Polling day is widely believed to be no later than March 4 with February 26 thought to be the exact date.