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Following his acquittal yesterday on charges of assaulting a teenager in 2006, Fianna Fáil TD Mattie McGrath has today written to the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern requesting a full investigation into the trial.

Mr McGrath (50) and five other men, including his son Edmond, were acquitted of charges of assault against a teenager in his hometown during an alleged row on the night of August 13th, 2006.

The jury in the trial returned a majority verdict of not guilty on three charges against Mr McGrath, including assault causing harm, violent disorder and using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place.

Mr McGrath described the trial against him and his co-defendants today as "groundless, unnecessary and unfair." He claimed earlier today that political interference had been brought to bear on the case and also that a number of statements were left out of the book of evidence.

"Certain people didn’t want my political career to progress," he told RTÉ radio.

Speaking to The Irish Timesthis afternoon, Mr McGrath said he had sent an email to the Minister for Justice
Dermot Ahern this morning seeking an urgent meeting with him. Mr McGrath said that he wished to discuss a number of issues surrounding the case against him with the Minister and wanted a full investigation to take place into the circumstances leading to the trial.