Man admits assaulting Roderic O'Gorman during election canvass

Karl Ronan has been allowed out on bail with a condition that he make no comment online about the case

Karl Ronan of Erris Square, Waterville in Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to assaulting Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

A man in his 40s has pleaded guilty to assaulting Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman while the Green Party leader was out canvassing at the weekend.

Karl Ronan, 45, with an address at Erris Square, Waterville in Blanchardstown faced three charges as he appeared before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday morning.

Mr Ronan was accused of using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace might have been occasioned on Erris Square on Saturday last.

The judge said that given a plea of guilty was being offered, Roderic O'Gorman would now be contacted to be invited to address or write to the court. File photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

He was also accused of assaulting Roderic O’Gorman at the same location on Saturday.

Furthermore, he was charged with damaging a clipboard belonging to Mr O’Gorman “intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged”.

These offences were contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008, section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 and section 2(1) Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

'Complication'

The court heard Mr Ronan made no reply when charged. His solicitor Tertius Van Eeden informed the court that his client was pleading guilty to all three charges.

Mr Justice McHugh told the court that there was a “complication” in that if the plea of guilty to these charges was accepted, then the victim had the right to address the court or write to the court prior to sentencing.

He said that given a plea of guilty was being offered, Mr O’Gorman would now be contacted to be invited to address or write to the court.

Garda Joseph Rogers told the court there was no objection to bail, but requested he have no contact with the injured party either directly or indirectly, and to make no comment online about the case.

Mr Justice McHugh imposed conditions and advised Mr Van Eeden that these terms would be “interpreted strictly” and any breach of them would put his client's liberty at risk.

An application was made for legal aid but was refused by the judge. The case was adjourned to December 17.