Former European Commissioner Phil Hogan has suggested he may seek compensation after his resignation over the Golfgate controversy.

The former trade commissioner has spoke about the incident in an interview published in the French newspaper Libération today - noting that he hasn't ruled out taking action against the European Commission.

The report also notes that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has refused to apologise to Mr Hogan over the incident.

It comes after a court in Galway dismissed all charges against four people accused of breaching lockdown laws by organising the event in the Station House Hotel in Clifden.

In dismissing the charges, Judge Mary Fahy noted those involved in the event did comply with COVID laws – “not in the court of public opinion, but in the court of law".

She agreed with the defendants claim that a partition wall dividing the 81 guests at the dinner essentially created two separate gatherings.

She said she had no doubt that everything was done to comply with the rules and noted that "very good people lost very good positions" over the controversy.

The Oireachtas Golf Society Dinner caused public outrage in 2020 and led to the resignation of EU Commissioner Phil Hogan and Minister Dara Calleary.

The door has since been opened for Mr Calleary to return to Government – with Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying a path is always there for someone of his calibre.

Meanwhile, in his interview with Libération this morning, Mr Hogan said he hasn’t ruled out the idea of seeking compensation from the European Commission.

The paper reports Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has refused to apologise to Mr Hogan over the incident.

The recent acquittals have raised allegations, including among the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, that those who attended were unfairly vilified in the media and by the public.