FINE GAEL TD Sean Conlan has been arrested and questioned by gardaí investigating an alleged assault at a bar in Monaghan last week.

Gardaí said a man in his 40s was arrested by appointment this morning in Castleblayney and was released without charge around 1.30pm. A file is being prepared for the DPP.

He was arrested under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The first-time TD for Cavan-Monaghan is understood to have been questioned in connection with an assault at Conlan’s pub on Sunday, 23 August.

The incident happened at around 8pm in the Ballybay pub after a row broke out.

A man in his 20s was allegedly assaulted and received minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment.

Conlan claims he was assaulted by a man who had been abusing him.

The Fine Gael deputy told TheJournal.ie today that he was questioned in relation to the other man’s allegations. He said he had arranged with the local sergeant to make a statement this morning.

Conlan said he could not comment on whether or not he was arrested.

In a further statement, issued through the Fine Gael press office this afternoon, Conlan said:

I attended the Garda Station in Castleblayney this morning voluntarily to give my statement of complaint to the Gardai about the assault which was perpetrated on me in my family pub last Sunday.

I cooperated fully with the Gardaí. As this is an ongoing investigation I will be making no further comment in relation to the matter.

The pub where the incident occurred is owned by the Conlan family, but is currently leased to a third party. It is beside the deputy’s constituency office.

- additional reporting from Daragh Brophy