Meath TDs condemn assault on Michael Healy-Rae

Meath politicians have condemned the assault on Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae, with concerns raised about the potential impact of increasing hostility and violence towards public representatives.

Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín described the incident as “shocking and chilling”, warning that violence against politicians could have wider implications for the democratic process.

“The increased level of violence, if we don’t put a stop to it, will have an impact on our political system,” he said.

“It will narrow the cohort of people who will put their names forward for election. This will reduce the quality of our democratic system. It will also reduce citizens’ access to their politicians. This too is a bad thing, as engagement is a key part of our democratic process.”

Meath East Fianna Fáil TD Thomas Byrne said he was “appalled” by the attack and offered his solidarity to Mr Healy-Rae and his family.

“Democracy is a precious thing which belongs to us all and when an elected member is physically attacked, it is an attack on our democracy itself,” he said.

“There can be no excuse, no equivocation. Violence has no place in our democracy.”

Meath West TD Johnny Guirke also condemned the incident.

“It is totally wrong what happened to him. It should not be happening to anybody,” he said.

“If people have issues with politicians, they need to organise and hold peaceful protests.”

Fianna Fáil Meath West TD Aisling Dempsey said the incident had caused her to reflect on her own safety as a public representative.

“My thoughts are with Michael Healy-Rae TD and his family after the assault he suffered yesterday,” she said.

“Driving into Dublin this morning in heavy traffic, it did give me pause for thought and to feel an unease I haven’t really felt before as a public representative.”

Ms Dempsey said she had introduced security measures when she opened her public office, including keeping it locked and screening visitors.

“These measures go against my natural instinct to be accessible and available to people,” she said. “But incidents like yesterday reinforce we have to be careful, for ourselves, our families and our staff.”

She said she hoped the assault was an isolated incident and that it would not deter elected representatives from remaining accessible in their communities.

Mr Healy-Rae was assaulted in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon after a man approached his car on Cork Street at approximately 4.10pm.

The Kerry TD was reportedly assaulted through the open window of his vehicle. Gardaí brought him from the road to Kevin Street Garda Station, where an ambulance was called.

He was subsequently taken to St Vincent’s University Hospital for treatment and was discharged shortly before 9pm after receiving stitches for a head wound.

A man in his 50s has been arrested in connection with the investigation and is being held at Kevin Street Garda Station.

Speaking at Dublin Castle, Garda Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region Jonathan Roberts said it could not be ruled out that the attack was connected to Mr Healy-Rae’s role as an elected representative.

Mr Healy-Rae said he would not be deterred from continuing his work representing the people of Kerry.

“Disagreement and robust political debate are entirely legitimate, but personal abuse, intimidation and violence can never be accepted or normalised in a democratic society,” he said.

He has since returned home to Kilgarvan and said he hoped to return to work in the coming days.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone with camera footage from the area at the time of the incident, to come forward.