Philip Dwyer, a former National Party member from Tallaght, was convicted of affray after a physical altercation during the 2024 General Election campaign outside Holy Redeemer Church in Bray. The District Court found that CCTV showed him being pushed by the father of election candidate Kellie McConnell, after which he pushed back and caused the man to fall. Witnesses alleged Dwyer produced a selfie stick and held it in a threatening manner, while McConnell said she believed it was a retractable baton. Dwyer denied aggressive conduct and maintained he acted in self-defence, believing he was about to be assaulted. He was fined €750 and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, fully suspended, and has appealed both conviction and sentence.
"Mr Dwyer, a former member of the National Party, was convicted of affray. He had been fined €750 and sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with the sentence suspended fully by Judge David Kennedy in February 2026. Counsel for Mr Dwyer, Sorcha Dianamh Ní Néill Fulham, informed the court that he was appealing both the finding of guilt and the sentence imposed by the District Court."
"Detective Garda Tom Bissett told the court that CCTV footage showed the accused being pushed by the father of election candidate Kellie McConnell, before reacting by pushing him back, causing him to fall to the ground. After the alleged pushing incident, Mr Dwyer produced a selfie stick, with witnesses alleging he held the item in a threatening manner."
"Ms McConnell, who was canvassing on behalf of People Before Profit, told the court she saw Mr Dwyer brandishing what she believed to be "a retractable baton", while her partner William Wong described Mr Dwyer producing the item "in a very fluid motion". Mr Dwyer denied acting aggressively and maintained throughout the hearing that he had been acting in self-defence, after believing he was about to be assaulted."
Read at Irish Independent
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