Court hears Jackie Healy-Rae restrained English tourist while other men punched him

Jackie Healy-Rae, denies assaulting Kieran James, causing him harm on December 28 2017, on Main Street, Kenmare

Solicitor Padraig O’Connell (left) and Jackie Healy-Rae (right). Picture: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus

An English visitor who was on a night out in Kenmare has insisted he was “assaulted” by Kerry County Councillor Jackie Healy-Rae, and has rejected suggestions that the councillor was acting as “a peacemaker” on the night and had been acting to restrain.

In 2019 at Kenmare District Court Jackie Healy-Rae, of Sandymount, Kilgarvan, son of TD Michael Healy-Rae, was convicted by Judge David Waters of assaulting Kieran James of London causing him harm, at Main Street Kenmare on December 28th, 2017.