A witness who attended the dinner at the centre of the Golfgate trial says he was satisfied that all Covid-19 guidelines were observed.
He was giving evidence at the trial of two politicians and two hoteliers, who are accused of organising an event in breach of lockdown laws that were in place at the time.
Independent TD Noel Grealish insists he’d nothing to do with organising an Oireachtas Golf Society dinner at the Clifden Station House Hotel.
At the time, indoor gatherings were limited to 50 people, excluding staff. Today, the judge heard 81 people, split across two rooms, attended.
He’s one of the four men accused of breaching a Covid-19 regulation.
Former Fianna Fáil Senator, Donie Cassidy, is facing the same charge. His barrister told the court the event complied with the guidelines published by Fáilte Ireland.
A witness called today, former Captain of the Guard at Leinster House, John Flaherty, said he was of the opinion that the guidelines were “observed and supervised at all times” and he felt safe.
The hotel owner, John Sweeney, and his son, the hotel’s GM, James Sweeney, are also on trial accused of the same breach.
Reporting by Frank Greaney
