Two sons of Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae have received a suspended prison sentence for assault.

Kerry County Councillor Jackie Healy-Rae and his brother Kevin were convicted of two charges of assault causing harm relating to incidents which occurred on December 28th, 2017 in Kenmare.

A third man, Malachy Scannell of Inchacoosh, Kilgarvan was found guilty of two assault charges - as well one charge of criminal damage relating to the same incidents.

The three were sentenced in Kenmare District Court.

The assaults took place following an altercation at a chip van, where Kevin Healy-Rae allegedly told the injured party, Kieran James, "This is my town, this is my chip van."

34-year-old Malachy Scannell assaulted Mr James and Cornelius O'Sullivan.

During sentencing in Kenmare District Court, character reference letters were handed into the court.

However, Judge David Waters returned one as it had asked him "to deal with matters in a certain way."

Judge Waters imposed an eight-month sentence on Jackie Healy-Rae, a seven-month term on Kevin Healy-Rae and a six-month sentence on Malachy Scannell.

He suspended all sentences in full for a period of one year.

Main image: Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae arrives at Leinster House in 2017 | Image: Sam Boal/ RollingNews.ie