A TEENAGER said he thought he was going to die during an attack for which a Fianna Fáil TD and five other men stand accused.
The trial of Mattie McGrath TD heard yesterday that Timothy Cleere (19) has been in counselling for trauma since the alleged attack took place two years ago.
Mr McGrath, TD for South Tipperary, appeared before Clonmel Circuit Court where it was claimed he "stopped" one teenager from helping Mr Cleere who was "set upon" by a number of men including Mr McGrath's son Edmond.
Mr Cleere faced robust cross-examination from six separate lawyers representing each of the accused men.
Defence for Mr McGrath, Paddy McCarthy SC, told the court that Mr McGrath saw Mr Cleere "lunge" at his son Edmond with a bottle on the night of August 14th, 2006.
He said Edmond McGrath was bottled by Mr Cleere three times after he came out of a pub to protect his father.
Mr Cleere told the court that Mattie McGrath came out of Nugent's pub in Newcastle, Co Tipperary, and began shouting at his friends and calling them "vandals".
He said he approached Mr McGrath as the TD got into a car but that he was attacked by Mr McGrath's son and a group of other men who came out of the pub.
Mr Cleere told the court that he had been hit first.
He said he didn't start the fight and that he didn't have a bottle when he was attacked.
Mr Cleere said he was the one who was hit over the head with a bottle and that he was kicked and beaten repeatedly on the ground.
He said that while he was being attacked, Mattie McGrath "stopped" his friend Eric Reith from trying to help him.
Mr McGrath, his son Edmond, both of Garreneasy; Christopher Cullinan, Jason Ahearne, James Lonergan, all of Liam Lynch Terrace, and Anthony O'Dwyer of Garrincasey, all in Newcastle, are all accused of assault causing harm to Mr Cleere.
Mr McGrath is also charged with violent disorder and of using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour in a public place.
The trial continues today.