Galway TD Noel Grealish is due to appear before Clifden District Court today in connection with the ‘Golfgate’ dinner in the village last August.
The Oireachtas Golf Society held an event at the Station House hotel in Clifden which violated COVID-19 regulations at the time.
The Independent TD, who was the captain of the golf society, is one of two politicians facing charges over organising the event, along with former Fianna Fáil Senator Donie Cassidy, who was its president.
At the time, indoor events were limited to 50 people under Level 3 restrictions, but the dinner on August 19, which followed a two day golfing event, was attended by over 80 people.
Deputy Grealish and Mr Cassidy have been charged under Section 31A of the Health Act 1997, for which the maximum penalty is a fine of €2,500 or up to six months in prison.
Then EU Comissioner Phil Hogan was eventually forced to resign due to his attendance at the ‘golfgate’ dinner, and newly appointed Supreme Court judge Seamus Wolfe was also heavily criticised for being present.
