THE TRIAL of Fianna Fáil TD Mattie McGrath for the assault of a teenager has heard that "gestures were thrown" at a youth outside a pub before a street fight broke out.
Mr McGrath and five other men, including his son Edmond, are charged with assault causing harm to Timothy Cleere (17) during a brawl two years ago. Mr McGrath is also charged with violent disorder and using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place.
The fifth day of the trial yesterday heard evidence from teenager Declan Hoare who claimed "gestures were thrown" at his friend Stuart Forbes after he left a pub in Mr McGrath's home town of Newcastle, Co Tipperary.
Mr Hoare told the court he was drinking with five friends in a church car park on the night of August 13th, 2006. He said he went down to Nugent's pub with Mr Forbes and waited outside.
Mr Hoare said when Mr Forbes came out, gestures were made at them and they returned to the car park.
The trial heard yesterday from Thomas O'Donnell of Newcastle, whose cross-examination by Paddy McCarthy SC, for Mr McGrath, concluded last Friday. Mr O'Donnell had told the court he saw Mr McGrath on the street "firing abuse" at a group of youths. He told Mr McGrath that he was "bringing trouble upon himself".
He said that Mr McGrath then asked Seán O'Shea for a lift home from the pub. Giving evidence at the trial on Friday, Mr O'Shea said he walked to his car with Mr McGrath and that Mr McGrath began shouting abuse at a group of youths sitting at the church gates.
He said Mr McGrath accused them of "blackguarding" around the village and that they were "vandalising the village". Mr O'Shea said he and Mr McGrath got into his car and that a number of the youths came around the car and started arguing with Mr McGrath.
Mr McGrath told him that he would "get the boys to come down". Mr O'Shea said a "big crowd of lads" came down from the pub and a melee broke out.
The trial continues today.