FF TD may face disqualification and jail

[Insider2007]

Fianna Fáil Mattie McGrath is due to appear in court two days before the assembly of the 30th Dáil to face assault and public order charges. At a previous hearing Judge Terence Finn suggested that some of the charges against Deputy McGrath are sufficiently serious to warrant trial in the Circuit Court.

If convicted in the Circuit Court Deputy McGrath could face a jail sentence. Should he be sentenced to longer than six months, he would face automatic disqualification from the Dáil. With Beverly Flynn facing backruptcy in a court case later this month, and another independent Fianna Fáil is seeking support from in poor health, as well as Fianna Fáil TD James McDaid indicating that FF cannot take his suport for granted, Bertie's chances of creating a stable government appear to be getting slimmer by the day. No wonder some TDs and their advisors are rumoured to be putting money on an October or November election.

BTW guys, as the McGrath case is before the courts, please do not comment on the man's guilt or innocence. The issue is how any conviction, should one occur, would impact on the government's survival.

[Eirenua]

Do you know if anyone was hurt in the incident? If there was he could be in trouble if found guilty.

http://www.skoool.ie/skoool/electionsPDF/9_05_07_2.pdf

[Insider2007]

Do you know if anyone was hurt in the incident? If there was he could be in trouble if found guilty.

http://www.skoool.ie/skoool/electionsPDF/9_05_07_2.pdf

"assault causing harm" sounds rather serious. That appears to be why Judge Finn believes the case may need to go to the Circuit Court. If it does then if found guilty Deputy McGrath could face a custodial sentence longer than the 6 months needed to automatically lose him his seat.

[Outlander]

What sort of skeletons does one need to have in the cupboard to be rejected as a candidate by FF?

What would be the likely result of a by-election in Tip South?

[pfkf1]

Would he lose his Dail seat if he is sentenced to 6 months or more, or would he lose his Dail seat if he has served 6 months or more?

[the-analyst2007]

The man is innocent until proven otherwise.

[trueblue]

This guy is a scum bag, clearly guilty as sin. Should be fecked out of Fianna Fáil and Dáil Éireann.

[the-analyst2007]

Dont do a Harney.

[oreiley1]

Gets better for Kenny everyday. There is a God. Goodbye FF ,you bunch of losers.

[The Trinity Politick]

Gets better for Kenny everyday. There is a God. Goodbye FF ,you bunch of losers.

Would this trigger a by-election?