Judge withdraws from assault case of former TD Seán Conlan

A District Court judge has withdrawn from hearing a case in which former Fine Gael TD Seán Conlan faces charges of assault and causing harm .

Judge Denis McLoughlin made the announcement at Carrickmacross District Court after an application was made by a defence lawyer for Mr Conlan, of Main Street, Ballybay, for a further adjournment of the case.

He is charged in connection with an alleged assault at his family-owned licensed premises in Ballybay on August 23rd last.

Mr Conlan, who resigned from Fine Gael before the general election and unsuccessfully stood as an Independent, was charged under Section 11 of the Firearms Act for the alleged use of a broken pint-glass during the pub incident.

He is also charged with unlawfully assaulting and causing harm to Enda Duffy of Annahia, Ballybay.

James McGuill, for Mr Conlan, told the court the defence was still seeking CCTV footage and required a further adjournment.

Judge McLoughlin said the case was previously adjourned to consider a jurisdiction issue and he had taken a decision to exclude himself from the case. He did not clarify why he had taken this decision.

He noted it would be difficult to get another judge before the summer legal recess but adjourned the case to July 20th when a hearing date will be considered.

Conlan, who was present in court, was further remanded on continuing bail of €100.