A Clare TD claims democracy is at risk from increasing abuse and threats aimed at politicians.
It follows a week in which a man was arrested for an alleged attempted assault on the Taoiseach, while Michael Healy Rae was hospitalised following an assault in Dublin.
A man in his 60s was arrested after an alleged attempted assault on Taoiseach Micheál Martin, on the first day of the National Ploughing Championships this week.
He’s since been charged and released to appear before the District Court at a later date.
Just a day later, Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae was assaulted in his car on Cork Street in Dublin.
The Kerry Deputy required seven stitches and will also need dental treatment for cracked teeth.
A man in his 50s has since been arrested and charged in connection with the incident is due before Dublin District Court today.
Clare Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says this incident puts Ireland’s accessibility to politicians at risk.
A Clare Government TD says that while in his experience the majority of people making threats online don’t have the courage to back them up in person, he’s fearful that toxicity towards politicians will deter people from going for election in future.
Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe says he’s also encountered a number of violent and unacceptable threats in his career.
Listen to the full interview here:
