A man has pleaded guilty to assaulting Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman over the weekend.

45-year-old Karl Ronan of Erris Square, Waterville, Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin appeared before Blanchardstown District Court this morning.

Ronan was arrested after Minister O’Gorman was assaulted while out canvassing at Erris Square, Waterville in Blanchardstown on Saturday.

He appeared in court this morning charged with assault, criminal damage to Minister O’Gorman’s clipboard.

He was also charged with the engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour “with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace might have been occasioned”.

The judge was told he is pleading guilty to all three charges.

As a result of the guilty plea, Minister O’Gorman will now have an opportunity to address the court or write a letter to the court for consideration.

No objection was made to bail, but Ronan was ordered not to have any contact with Minister O’Gorman directly or through a third party.

He was also warned not to comment on the case on social media.

An application for legal aid was refused.

Ronan was ordered to appear again at Blanchardstown District Court on December 17th.