Farmer 'has a case to answer' for throwing bag of cow dung towards junior minister, judge rules

In a prepared statement to gardaí read out in court, Joseph Baldwin said that he went to the meeting 'with no intention to harm anyone'

Joseph Baldwin (pictured) denies assaulting Anne Rabbitte on January 4, 2023, at a public meeting concerning a planned biogas plant at O’Sullivan’s hotel in Gort.

A judge has ruled that the south Galway farmer accused of assaulting Junior Government Minister, Anne Rabbitte, when throwing a bag of cow dung towards her at a public meeting “has a case to answer”.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Alec Gabbett made his comment when rejecting an application by defence solicitor, Daragh Hassett, to dismiss the assault case against his client, Joseph Baldwin.