Fine Gael election candidate John McGahon has broken his silence and issued leaflets to homes in Louth asking them for support. The letter, seen by the Irish Mirror, says that the Senator “loves his community” and that if it is “not possible” for voters to give them their number one vote, he would like them to consider giving him their “highest transfer”. Videos of an altercation between Mr McGahon and farmer Breen White during a late-night altercation outside a Louth pub started circulating online earlier this month. READ MORE: Taoiseach Simon Harris 'not sure' if he will canvass with under fire John McGahon READ MORE: Paschal Donohoe compares Simon Harris to Coleen Rooney as he confesses to new guilty pleasure Mr White, from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, sued Mr McGahon for assault and battery outside the Rum House pub in Dundalk, Co Louth, on June 16, 2018. Mr McGahon, who was elected to the Seanad after the incident, denied the claims and said he was assaulted and acted in self-defence. In July, a High Court civil jury awarded Mr White €39,000 following the alleged assault. It apportioned blame at 65 per cent against Mr McGahon and 35 per cent against Mr White. A separate criminal trial found Mr McGahon not guilty of assault. In the new letter sent to households in Louth, Mr McGahon said that “Ireland stands at a crucial moment”. “The choices we make now will shape the future of our country, for our children, our families and our businesses,” he wrote. “Since I was first elected as a councillor back in 2014, I have worked my heart out for county Louth. I love our county. It’s my home and I am very proud of the work we have achieved here. “Helping people is the most rewarding part of my job, and it has been a privilege to do that over the past 10 years as a councillor and then a senator. "But now, at this crucial election, our community needs a TD who will champion it, both at home in Louth and nationally in Dáil Éireann. I hope you can see how much I love our community and how hard I work for it. “That’s why I am looking for your number one vote. If that is not possible, please consider me for your highest transfer. “The coming election is going to be really close, so please make sure to vote.” The letter has the Fine Gael logo in the bottom right corner. Elsewhere, Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Wednesday that he did not know if he would canvass with Mr McGahon in Louth. “I’m not sure, is the honest answer,” he said. “John McGahon is a duly selected Fine Gael candidate. He's on the ticket, as is councillor Paula Butterly. It's up to the people of Louth to decide if they wish to vote Fine Gael, which candidate to support. “I've made it very clear my view in relation to violence. I’d need to reflect on that so I'm not sure. “No [I wouldn’t ask him to leave if he showed up]. We’re not in that space at all. “But whether I do or don't get to canvass with Senator McGahon is a matter I'm not yet decided on.” Mr Harris said that he will continue to canvass on Thursday and until 10pm on Friday when the voting closes. Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
Ashwini Vaishnaw Slams Congress For Insulting Former PM Manmohan Singh Over 'Ordinance Tearing' Incident
Amid the ongoing allegations of crypto scam against Hailey Welch, the 22-year-old woman who rose to fame with the viral 'Hawk Tuah' clip, a bizarre claim has surfaced on social media that Welch is dead. Despite there being no confirmation of the same, several X accounts are posting that Welch has passed away. "Breaking News: Hailey Welch has been found deceased at the age of 22 years old," one user, with over 24,000 followers on X, posted. Other accounts also made similar posts, such as this one: What Is The Basis Of The Rumours? The rumors likely surfaced from the fact that Hailey Welch has not been posting on social media since the alleged scam around her $HAWK cryptocurrency broke out. Her last post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, dates back to December 5. She has since been attacked on social media over the alleged scam, which she has refrained from addressing beyond the initial statement. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US Buzz, World and around the world.The candles flickered to life shortly after dark Sunday. Some spectators borrowed flames from farolitos, easy to access on the northern side of Santa Fe's downtown Plaza. Others found lighters. Most held their candle in one hand, shielding the little flame with the other. Soon enough, the candles lit up the crowd of a few hundred attendees, ready for Las Posadas. Part of Northern New Mexico's Christmas traditions for centuries, Las Posadas — meaning "the inns" in Spanish — is a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's attempts to find shelter ahead of Jesus' birth. Sunday marked Santa Fe's 48th annual Las Posadas on the Plaza, in which local participants recreate the holy family's legendary journey. A path of farolitos and inhospitable innkeepers, stationed on second stories throughout the Plaza, pushed the couple along until they found shelter — as well as hymns and carols — at the bandstand. The New Mexico History Museum hosts the annual holiday procession, providing cookies and hot apple cider for attendees. "As part of our purpose to support statewide engagement across the state as well as community traditions — especially historical traditions — this is right in our wheelhouse," said Catherine Trujillo, the museum's deputy director. This year brought a possible change in the event's organization. In addition to Holy Cross Catholic Church of Española and Coro de Agua Fría, the nonprofit Santa Fe Fiesta Inc. was among the presenters. The organization, which holds Fiesta de Santa Fe events each year, may coordinate the holiday procession in the future, said Krystle Lucero, president of the Santa Fe Fiesta Council. During Sunday's festivities, Fiesta officials learned what it takes to put on Las Posadas — keeping the cookies stocked, the farolitos lit and the actors in place. "We're actually just shadowing this year, but there is a possibility that in the future we will be the organization to help put this event on," Lucero said. For Trujillo, Las Posadas is about bringing people together during a "magical time" of year. "Las Posadas is a very important Catholic tradition, but it's also a welcoming tradition. ... For us, that's what we're all about," Trujillo said. "We want everyone to have a welcoming experience and a memorable experience." While it's not yet certain Santa Fe Fiesta Inc. will steward future versions of Las Posadas, Lucero said the event does fit with the organization's goals. "We are about community. We're about culture and traditions," she said. "And Las Posadas is a cultural, community-oriented tradition, and so it does fall hand in hand with our mission, our goals." Lucero added, "I think it is definitely fitting that we participate in this event and be a part of it." Sunday night may have been Lisa Garcia's first time at Las Posadas, but it must have been a special one. Her son, Jody Atencio, portrayed Joseph in the procession, while her daughter-in-law, Carmelita Trujillo Atencio, took on the role of Mary. Garcia, along with her sisters Gina Garcia, Nancy Garcia and Barbara Chavarria, made the trip to Santa Fe to celebrate the occasion. "We live in Ohkay Owingeh. I've been living there for 62 years and never been to any of this," Lisa Garcia said. "It's an honor to be here for my son and my daughter-in-law."Love Horoscope Today: Astrological Predictions on December 29, 2024, For All Zodiac Signs
First dog-friendly cruise scheduled for 2025. Organizers hope it turns into a recurring event.Hochul: Be prepared ahead of this winter storm