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HandbagsBite marks, a bloody lip and a brutal bust-up – but high-profile politician in clear over alleged assault on their sister
Who bit who and who hit who first is viciously contested.
It was intended to be a clear-the-air night out after some minor tensions over a family gathering. The trio gathered at the house in a Dublin suburb where they were staying before heading out. One of the group was running a bit late, but rang ahead to say they would be there in enough time.
Bottled craft beers and cosmopolitans were drunk over an Indian take-away. Then it was on into town in a taxi.
The concert was in the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin. It was a showery summer night in July 2023. A few beers and some ready-to-drink cocktails-in-a-can were consumed during the gig.
Events really kicked off, though, in a nearby hotel after the concert. As pornstar martinis and pints were ordered, the conversation became more energetic – and then an edge developed.
Those involved cannot be named for legal reasons, but a high-profile political figure is at the centre of the saga.
The three concertgoers – the politician, the sister and the relative – were sitting down the back of the bar at the hotel. The relative went out the front to smoke a cigarette. In their absence, a heated discussion flared up over a family matter.
The row broke out between the politician and their sister. What happened next is disputed
And here’s where it all gets terribly messy, amid claims and counter-claims of assault, a garda investigation, a general election and solicitors’ letters flying.
The upshot of it all is that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended no prosecution be taken against the politician after receiving a file from gardaí.
But that’s only part of the story, at best.
Back to the bar in the hotel. The row broke out between the politician and their sister. What happened next is disputed. The politician claims the sister was the worse for wear and couldn’t handle her drink.
The sister supposedly stood up and began filming the conversation on her phone. She claims she was struck by the politician and suffered injuries.
The politician claims to have grabbed the phone and sat on it. They say they were pushed backwards by the sister, hitting the wall and suffering a cut lip.
In the shemozzle, the politician claims to have been scratched on the upper body.
The relative returned from having a cigarette as the fracas took off. The video on the phone gives more sound than vision.
The sister turned up at the house to collect her belongings
Following a forceful exchange of views, the sister left to find a hotel to stay in. The politician and the relative returned to the house.
Some time later, in the early hours, the sister turned up at the house to collect her belongings. These had been left outside on the doorstep, wrapped in cling film.
The sister demanded the relative let her in to collect a toiletry bag. She went into the room where she was supposed to be staying that night. On her way out, a fresh scrap broke out.
The politician claims the sister lunged at them, knocking them over on to the stairs; that the politician banged their head, resulting in a temporary loss of consciousness, and the assailant had to be fought off.
The sister claims to have been the victim of a savage attack in which kicks and punches were thrown, amid a flurry of insults about her bodily appearance and having plastic surgery. The relative either broke up the fight and bustled the sister out the door or joined in the attack, depending on whose version of events is listened to.
Heading out the door, the politician claims to have had their head pushed against a stone windowsill by the sister. Somewhere along the line, the sister’s laptop appears to have been damaged, allegedly by being thrown out the door. The sister left the house and stayed elsewhere with another family member that night. How they got there is unclear.
She did not lodge a formal complaint, which would have prompted an investigation
A few minutes after the bust-up, another friend, who had also been out that night, called to the house and witnessed the aftermath.
At some point that night, the sister reported either the first incident in the hotel or the second incident in the house to the local garda station. However, she did not lodge a formal complaint, which would have prompted an investigation.
Word of the brawl went around family and friends, with significant fallout. And then it all went quiet – until a year later. By that stage, the politician’s name was featuring prominently in the national media ahead of the general election.
Within the same few weeks, the sister went back to the local garda station and lodged a formal complaint, meaning there would be an investigation. She also provided photos of bruising and injuries from the night a year earlier.
She also sent a legal-style document to the politician’s political party, outlining her allegations of the assault.
The politician was confronted with the allegations by a party official some months later. The reason behind the delay in telling them about the claims is unclear.
A senior political figure was also given the document outlining the assault allegations. The party was sent a list of 22 questions by the Irish Independent about their handling of the allegations, including the data protection issues arising. The party declined to respond.
With the general election approaching, a garda investigaton was highly problematic
Gardaí were also in touch with the politician at that time, saying they were now investigating the allegations.
A garda spokesman said at the time: “An Garda Síochána is investigating an allegation of assault alleged to have occurred in July 2023. As this is an ongoing investigation, An Garda Síochána is not confirming any other details.”
With the general election approaching, a garda investigation was highly problematic, particularly as word would get out on the political grapevine.
The politician noticed comments being made as rumours spread in the local constituency.
In comments to a friend, the politician said they believed their sister was trying to “personally, politically and professionally destroy me”.
The politician appeared, by appointment, at the local garda station. Accompanied by a solicitor, they made a statement outlining their side of the incident.
When questioned about their sister’s claims, they made their own counter-allegations. They also had their own photos of injuries sustained, particularly what seemed to be bite marks on the upper body.
A considerable amount of time was spent on the investigation
However, the politician declined to make an official complaint of assault, which would have resulted in a parallel garda investigation into their sister.
Gardaí also met the relative, took a statement and put questions to them about their alleged role.
The involvement of a politician made the inquiries sensitive, and gardaí carried out a thorough investigation.
The passage of time between the incident occurring and a formal complaint being made to gardaí is believed to have been a factor in the case. CCTV footage from the hotel was unavailable, as the official complaint was not made to gardaí until a year later.
A considerable amount of time was spent on the investigation. Between the differing accounts, gardaí put together a file for the DPP and have now confirmed their investigation has concluded, with no charges being brought.
“An Garda Síochána investigated an allegation of assault alleged to have occurred in July 2023. A file was prepared and sent to the DPP, who directed no prosecution,” a spokesman said.
But that’s not the end of the tale. The politician had sent a solicitor’s letter to their sister, outlining the various scenarios arising from the garda stalemate and asking for the complaint to be withdrawn.
The politician has taken legal proceedings against their sister
The sister wrote back saying they would drop the complaint, provided certain conditions were met.
A full apology had to be made in the presence of family members. A payment of €2,000 for the replacement of the laptop had to be paid.
The list of demands also contained a complex financial arrangement. A commitment had to be given to not take any legal action. The politician and the relative had to provide an assurance for €250,000 each to be paid if they took legal action against the sister.
The funds would be held on account, possibly against a mortgage, for seven years – at which point it would be released back to the politician and the relative.
The offer was not taken up. The politician has taken legal proceedings against their sister and a court order has been issued.
The sibling rift shows no sign of ever being healed.
Bite marks, a bloody lip and a brutal bust-up – but high-profile politician in clear over alleged assault on their sister
Who bit who and who hit who first is viciously contested.
Who is the politician?Bite marks, a bloody lip and a brutal bust-up – but high-profile politician in clear over alleged assault on their sister
Who bit who and who hit who first is viciously contested.
It was intended to be a clear-the-air night out after some minor tensions over a family gathering. The trio gathered at the house in a Dublin suburb where they were staying before heading out. One of the group was running a bit late, but rang ahead to say they would be there in enough time.
Bottled craft beers and cosmopolitans were drunk over an Indian take-away. Then it was on into town in a taxi.
The concert was in the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin. It was a showery summer night in July 2023. A few beers and some ready-to-drink cocktails-in-a-can were consumed during the gig.
Events really kicked off, though, in a nearby hotel after the concert. As pornstar martinis and pints were ordered, the conversation became more energetic – and then an edge developed.
Those involved cannot be named for legal reasons, but a high-profile political figure is at the centre of the saga.
The three concertgoers – the politician, the sister and the relative – were sitting down the back of the bar at the hotel. The relative went out the front to smoke a cigarette. In their absence, a heated discussion flared up over a family matter.
The row broke out between the politician and their sister. What happened next is disputed
And here’s where it all gets terribly messy, amid claims and counter-claims of assault, a garda investigation, a general election and solicitors’ letters flying.
The upshot of it all is that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended no prosecution be taken against the politician after receiving a file from gardaí.
But that’s only part of the story, at best.
Back to the bar in the hotel. The row broke out between the politician and their sister. What happened next is disputed. The politician claims the sister was the worse for wear and couldn’t handle her drink.
The sister supposedly stood up and began filming the conversation on her phone. She claims she was struck by the politician and suffered injuries.
The politician claims to have grabbed the phone and sat on it. They say they were pushed backwards by the sister, hitting the wall and suffering a cut lip.
In the shemozzle, the politician claims to have been scratched on the upper body.
The relative returned from having a cigarette as the fracas took off. The video on the phone gives more sound than vision.
The sister turned up at the house to collect her belongings
Following a forceful exchange of views, the sister left to find a hotel to stay in. The politician and the relative returned to the house.
Some time later, in the early hours, the sister turned up at the house to collect her belongings. These had been left outside on the doorstep, wrapped in cling film.
The sister demanded the relative let her in to collect a toiletry bag. She went into the room where she was supposed to be staying that night. On her way out, a fresh scrap broke out.
The politician claims the sister lunged at them, knocking them over on to the stairs; that the politician banged their head, resulting in a temporary loss of consciousness, and the assailant had to be fought off.
The sister claims to have been the victim of a savage attack in which kicks and punches were thrown, amid a flurry of insults about her bodily appearance and having plastic surgery. The relative either broke up the fight and bustled the sister out the door or joined in the attack, depending on whose version of events is listened to.
Heading out the door, the politician claims to have had their head pushed against a stone windowsill by the sister. Somewhere along the line, the sister’s laptop appears to have been damaged, allegedly by being thrown out the door. The sister left the house and stayed elsewhere with another family member that night. How they got there is unclear.
She did not lodge a formal complaint, which would have prompted an investigation
A few minutes after the bust-up, another friend, who had also been out that night, called to the house and witnessed the aftermath.
At some point that night, the sister reported either the first incident in the hotel or the second incident in the house to the local garda station. However, she did not lodge a formal complaint, which would have prompted an investigation.
Word of the brawl went around family and friends, with significant fallout. And then it all went quiet – until a year later. By that stage, the politician’s name was featuring prominently in the national media ahead of the general election.
Within the same few weeks, the sister went back to the local garda station and lodged a formal complaint, meaning there would be an investigation. She also provided photos of bruising and injuries from the night a year earlier.
She also sent a legal-style document to the politician’s political party, outlining her allegations of the assault.
The politician was confronted with the allegations by a party official some months later. The reason behind the delay in telling them about the claims is unclear.
A senior political figure was also given the document outlining the assault allegations. The party was sent a list of 22 questions by the Irish Independent about their handling of the allegations, including the data protection issues arising. The party declined to respond.
With the general election approaching, a garda investigaton was highly problematic
Gardaí were also in touch with the politician at that time, saying they were now investigating the allegations.
A garda spokesman said at the time: “An Garda Síochána is investigating an allegation of assault alleged to have occurred in July 2023. As this is an ongoing investigation, An Garda Síochána is not confirming any other details.”
With the general election approaching, a garda investigation was highly problematic, particularly as word would get out on the political grapevine.
The politician noticed comments being made as rumours spread in the local constituency.
In comments to a friend, the politician said they believed their sister was trying to “personally, politically and professionally destroy me”.
The politician appeared, by appointment, at the local garda station. Accompanied by a solicitor, they made a statement outlining their side of the incident.
When questioned about their sister’s claims, they made their own counter-allegations. They also had their own photos of injuries sustained, particularly what seemed to be bite marks on the upper body.
A considerable amount of time was spent on the investigation
However, the politician declined to make an official complaint of assault, which would have resulted in a parallel garda investigation into their sister.
Gardaí also met the relative, took a statement and put questions to them about their alleged role.
The involvement of a politician made the inquiries sensitive, and gardaí carried out a thorough investigation.
The passage of time between the incident occurring and a formal complaint being made to gardaí is believed to have been a factor in the case. CCTV footage from the hotel was unavailable, as the official complaint was not made to gardaí until a year later.
A considerable amount of time was spent on the investigation. Between the differing accounts, gardaí put together a file for the DPP and have now confirmed their investigation has concluded, with no charges being brought.
“An Garda Síochána investigated an allegation of assault alleged to have occurred in July 2023. A file was prepared and sent to the DPP, who directed no prosecution,” a spokesman said.
But that’s not the end of the tale. The politician had sent a solicitor’s letter to their sister, outlining the various scenarios arising from the garda stalemate and asking for the complaint to be withdrawn.
The politician has taken legal proceedings against their sister
The sister wrote back saying they would drop the complaint, provided certain conditions were met.
A full apology had to be made in the presence of family members. A payment of €2,000 for the replacement of the laptop had to be paid.
The list of demands also contained a complex financial arrangement. A commitment had to be given to not take any legal action. The politician and the relative had to provide an assurance for €250,000 each to be paid if they took legal action against the sister.
The funds would be held on account, possibly against a mortgage, for seven years – at which point it would be released back to the politician and the relative.
The offer was not taken up. The politician has taken legal proceedings against their sister and a court order has been issued.
The sibling rift shows no sign of ever being healed.
Bite marks, a bloody lip and a brutal bust-up – but high-profile politician in clear over alleged assault on their sister
Who bit who and who hit who first is viciously contested.
