Taoiseach and Justice Minister back Election 2024 candidate Senator John McGahon, at centre of assault row

"Yes - my party will continue to canvas for him," Mr Harris insisted as he answered questions on the issue at the launch of the party General Election 2024 manifesto in Tipperary.

"These matters were all examined in a court of law."

"A jury sat in Louth - a jury looked at CCTV. A jury looked at images. A defence of self-defence was put forward and a jury found him not guilty (of assault)," Mr Harris said.

His remarks came after 'The Sunday Times' published photos detailing the facial injuries suffered by Monaghan-based farmer Breen White following the incident in Dundalk, Co Louth on June 16 2018.

Mr White insisted that if the Taoiseach saw the images of the injuries he suffered that night, the party would not support Sen McGahon.

The farmer had vehemently denied physically confronting Sen McGahon - and the Fine Gael politician insisted he acted in self-defence that night.

Sen McGahon - who was elected to the Seanad after the incident - was later acquitted by a Louth Circuit Criminal Court jury of assault causing harm.

However, he was found to be 65pc liable in a civil action taken by Mr White in the High Court.

Also speaking today, Justice Minister Helen McEntee confirmed Mr McGahon will remain on the Fine Gael ticket in Louth.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One's This Week, Ms McEntee said: "Senator McGahon was before a criminal court with a jury of his peers.

"In that trial, all the evidence was seen, was heard, was presented, and based on that evidence, he was acquitted of the accusation of assault.

"I think every person has the right to go through that particular process but he was found not guilty of what he was being accused of on the basis that he put forward of self-defence," she added.

When asked whether the victim's voice matters when it comes to selection of candidates by Fine Gael, Ms McEntee said that "a victim's voice will always matter and will always be front and centre".

"Everything that I've done in the Department of Justice has been to put victims at the very centre.

"But we have a trial process, we have a criminal justice process. John McGahon has gone through that and was, by a jury of his peers, acquitted of the crime that he was before the trial for.

"We have to ensure that we protect and we uphold our criminal justice system, no matter who it applies to."

The Minister said Mr McGahon will remain on the Fine Gael ticket, adding she believes he has already done a "fantastic job on representing the people of Louth".

"It is up to the people of Louth, the people of his constituency, to decide if they want to see him - the same way it is for every constituency, for people to decide who they want representing them in their county."

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has insisted that the Taoiseach has questions to answer over his ongoing support for Senator McGahon.

The Dublin TD said the Taoiseach's ongoing support for the Louth politician was very concerning.

Earlier this year, a High Court jury awarded Mr White €39,000 in damages against Senator McGahon.

Mr White of Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, took a civil action against Mr McGahon arising from what happened outside the Rum House pub in Dundalk, Co Louth on June 16 2018.

The jury was asked to decide if Mr White was assaulted and whether any damage suffered was caused or partly caused by want of care on his part.

After three hours of deliberations, the jury found he had been assaulted and awarded a total of €60,000, including €10,000 for aggravated damages.

They apportioned blame at 65pc against Mr McGahon and 35pc against Mr White.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens, who presided over the four-day trial, gave a decree for €39,000 against Mr McGahon.

The jury heard that following the 2022 Louth Circuit Criminal Court trial, Mr McGahon of Faughart Gardens, Dundalk, Co Louth, was cleared on a charge of assault causing harm to Mr White over the incident.

In his High Court civil action, Mr White claimed Mr McGahon put his arm around Mr White's wife Linda and said "you are coming with me" as they left the Rum House around 2.30/3am.

He said when he protested, Mr McGahon said "what is it to you" and he replied that she was his wife.

Mr McGahon waved his hands and mumbled some words before the couple went out on the street, he said.

He claimed Mr McGahon then followed him on to the street, grabbed him by the arm and said "what's your problem with me". He said he replied: "I have no problem with you, go about your business".

Mr White said Mr McGahon then said "who are you, I don't know you, what's your name and I said you wouldn't know me".

The plaintiff, who gave evidence as pub and garda CCTV of the incident was shown to the court, said this questioning about who he was continued as the couple took shelter from the rain in an alcove outside the pub.

They were waiting there for a lift from Mr White's son having been out that night because a horse Mr White owned, called Total Demolition, won at Fairyhouse that day.

Mr White told his counsel that Mr McGahon also said: "I run this town and you should know me".

Mr McGahon vehemently denied that he ever said that.

He claimed it was the "oldest cliché" that could be thrown at a politician.

Mr McGahon, in his evidence, said he was intoxicated.

He said he had put his arm around Linda White in "a friendly, jovial manner" after being told by someone else about the horse winning at Fairyhouse.

The incident outside, he insisted, involved him acting entirely in self defence.

Outside the pub he said he offered his hand in apology to Mr White which was not accepted.

He said he should have walked away at that point but instead started "making a nuisance" of himself.

There was a further exchange of words before he said Mr White began pushing and kicking out at him, grabbing him by the throat and falling to the ground, the court heard.