A SENATOR had four charges dismissed by Judge John Clifford at Blarney District Court Co Cork, yesterday.
Senator Billy Kelleher of Fianna Fail, of Ballyphilip, White Cross Cork, was charged with assaulting a Blarney cumann member Mr Finbarr Walsh, engaging in behaviour likely to lead to a breach of the peace. failing to report an accident and failing to remain at an accident scene last February.
However, he was convicted of careless driving and was fined £50 plus £20 expenses and had his licence endorsed.
Mr Walsh said that on February 3rd last he was approached by Senator Kelleher in Blarney village.
"He said `You are supporting Cllr Noel O'Flynn in the selection convention and I gave him no answer. After that he pushed me and used bad language," said Mr Walsh.
The witness drove down the road to a junction where he stopped for traffic. He "got a fierce bang" from behind. As he got out of his car, Senator Kelleher was getting out of his and produced a chequebook, saying he would pay for the damage. Mr Walsh said Senator Kelleher was using the worst language he had ever heard coming from a young man.
Senator Kelleher said he was driving behind Mr Walsh and thought be was going to drive through the junction. When he realised the car in front was stopped, he tried to take evasive action and failed.