Fine Gael is doubling down on its backing of an election candidate mired in controversy, over a violent incident outside a pub.
Senator, John McGahon, was acquitted of a criminal charge, but was found liable in a civil case, and paid 39,000 euro in compensation to the Co Monaghan man he injured.
Pictures of the injuries sustained by Castleblaney farmer, Breen White, were published in yesterday's Sunday Times.
This morning, Public Expenditure Minister, Paschal Donohoe, backed Senator McGahon. Meanwhile, video footage of the incident has been circulating widely online. Taoiseach Simon Harris has continued to back his candidate in Co Louth.