Phil Hogan is weighing up his options over taking legal action after resigning as an EU Commissioner for his attendance at the Golfgate event in August 2020.
The Irish Mirror has confirmed through senior sources in Brussels that Mr Hogan is considering taking a case for unfair dismissal against the EU and possibly the Irish authorities too.
A senior source close to Mr Hogan told the Mirror that the former EU Commissioner and Irish Government minister is “looking at all options” in relation to suing over Golfgate.
If Mr Hogan takes a case, it would be a blockbuster in the courts, as he would be taking on the EU Commission and others, primarily the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who accepted Mr Hogan's resignation.
Mr Hogan was one of 81 people that attended an Oireachtas golf society dinner in the Station House Hotel in Clifden, Galway.
It was alleged that the banquet was in contravention of Covid public health laws.
However the subsequent acquittal of four defendants in Galway District Court for organising the infamous golf dinner has thrown this in doubt and opened the door to legal action for Mr Hogan.
Mr Hogan is now a successful lobbyist based in Europe and is already garnering a reputation as one of the best - and highest paid - in the business.
His insider knowledge as one of the EU’s top negotiators in international trade negotiations when he was Commissioner for Agriculture from 2014 to 2019 and in the higher profile Trade portfolio from 2019 to August 2020 makes him highly sought after.
Mr Hogan also earned great plaudits for his role in tense Brexit negotiations.
French newspaper Libération has reported that in an interview with Mr Hogan, published on Monday, he did not distance himself from the idea of seeking compensation for damages caused by the controversy.
He told the paper: "I was sitting next to the minister for Agriculture during this dinner - this person had taken part in the Government meeting where the new restrictions were decided."
At Galway District Court on February 4, Judge Mary Fahy dismissed charges against Galway East Independent TD Noel Grealish, former Fianna Fail senator Donie Cassidy, John Sweeney and his son James Sweeney, who own the Station House Hotel, of illegally holding the Oireachtas Golf Society event in August 2020.
In a statement at the time of his resignation, Mr Hogan said: "I deeply regret that my trip to Ireland, the country that I have been so proud to represent as a public servant for most of my adult life, caused such concern, unease and upset.
"I have always tried to comply with all relevant Covid-19 regulations in Ireland and had understood that I had met with all relevant public health guidelines, particularly following confirmation of a negative Covid-19 test."
A spokesman for the EU Commission said on Monday they had no new comment to make.
