Simon Harris, leader of Fine Gael, has confirmed his support for Senator John McGahon in County Louth despite criticism from rival parties Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin. McGahon was previously acquitted of assault charges but faced backlash after a civil trial found him liable for damages. Both Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald have voiced concerns about Harris’s endorsement, as the imagery of the victim’s injuries raises serious questions about McGahon’s candidacy. Nonetheless, Fine Gael leaders maintain that the legal system has cleared him.