Dara Calleary could see people in other room through 'opening in partition' at Golfgate dinner

Mr McDowell SC for Noel Grealish said his client would not be giving evidence as he had no case to answer

Dara Calleary arriving at Galway Court house on Thursday morning. He told the court: “It was very clear all of the guidelines were being adhered to.” Photo: Eamon Ward

Former Fianna Fáil Minister for Agriculture, Dara Calleary who was a guest speaker at a 50th anniversary Oireachtas golf society dinner held in a Clifden hotel two years ago, told the trial of four men accused of organising the event in breach of Covid regulations today, that he was satisfied all Covid guidelines had been observed during the function and throughout the hotel.

Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish (55), from Carnmore, Galway, and former Fianna Fáil senator Donie Cassidy (76), The Square, Castlepollard, Westmeath, along with hoteliers John Sweeney (61) and his son, James Sweeney (32), each deny organising the Oireachtas golf society event in breach of Covid-19 restrictions at the Station House Hotel in Clifden on August 19, 2020.