Former Clare TD Michael McNamara is due before the courts again today, charged with dangerous driving and obstructing a Garda during the course of his duties.
The 43-year-old’s case will be heard at Ennis District Court after Judge Patrick Durcan deemed the pub where courts are held at Killaloe an unsuitable venue.
Mr McNamara of Ballyglass, Scarriff is charged with dangerous driving contrary to the Road Traffic Act at Tobernagath, Scarriff on December 10th, 2016.
He is also charged with resisting and obstructing Garda Darren McLaughlin during the course of his duties under Section 19 of the Public Order Act on the same date and at the same location.
He was initially due before Judge Patrick Durcan at O’Donovan’s Pub in Ballina, where Killaloe District Court sits, in December.
However, the judge deemed that location to be unsuitable and deferred it to today, to allow it be heard at Ennis District Court.
Gardaí have agreed to provide all documentation concerning the case after the court ordered all state documents to be disclosed.
Mr McNamara, who served as a Labour TD for Clare from 2011 to 2016, is pleading his innocence to the charges.
If found guilty of either charge at the District Court, he could face a potential six month jail term, or be fined.
