A physical attack on Kerry TD, Michael Healy-Rae, who was hospitalised and needed stitches after being assaulted while he was in his car in Dublin yesterday, has been widely condemned – with the Justice Minister describing such aggressions as an “attack on democracy”.
The Independent TD attended St Vincent’s Hospital where he needed stiches for a head wound after the assault. He was released last night and is understood to have then returned to Kerry.
His son, Jackie Healy-Rae Jr, said that his father was “a bit shaken up” after the assault, but feels “relieved” this morning.
The deputy was attacked by a man when his car, which had prominent Michael Healy-Rae signage, was stopped in traffic on Cork Street in the south centre of the city. The assault occurred shortly after 4pm.
Gardaí took the Kerry TD to Kevin Street Garda Station, where an ambulance was called to bring Deputy Healy-Rae to hospital.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Michael’s brother Danny Healy-Rae said that he was “very disappointed with the news that my brother was assaulted going out the road in the car.”
“It is not on,” he said. “He was just doing his work, or going wherever he was going. He was stopped on the road and someone hit him through the window. It is not good enough. I hope he will be all right. I hope his family will be all right. It is something that is hurting me as much as anyone else.”
“These things should not happen to public representatives,” he added. “We get elected to help the people and not to hurt them. If we cannot do right by everyone, it is tough. We cannot please everyone. We are doing our best, and it is unfair to hit a fellow through the window without him being able to defend himself. I hope he will be all right before morning and that he will be out again tomorrow.”
Deputy Paul Gogarty added his condemnation, saying: “I put on record my best wishes for him in his recovery and my absolute condemnation – no matter what viewpoint people have – of attacks on politicians male or female. I condemn it wholeheartedly and wish him a speedy recovery.”
Fellow Independent TD, Barry Heneghan, said: “Ba mhaith liom chomh maith a thabhairt don Teachta Michael Healy-Rae agus a deartháir, atá anseo anois, my support. I wish Michael a speedy recovery. The Healy-Rae brothers have been nothing but welcoming to me since I was elected to this House and I see how hard they work. It is not fair that any public representative, male or female, should face violence, and my thoughts are with Michael’s family.”
And the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan said he wanted to send Deputy Healy-Rae “best wishes to him and wish him a speedy recovery.”
“Any attack upon a Member of the Oireachtas because he or she is a Member of the Oireachtas is an attack on democracy,” he said. “We should all resolutely stand together in this House in condemning any such attacks. People are entitled to have different views politically but what we will not tolerate is people being targeted or violence being used against them simply because they do not share the same political views as others.”
Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy said that she was “deeply shocked, to say the least,” to hear of the assault.
“I hope his injuries are not too serious and I wish the Deputy, on behalf of all his friends here and the Members, a speedy recovery. I wish his family well, as I am sure they are deeply concerned. I know that the people of County Kerry, whom he represents in Dáil Éireann, will share a deep concern for his well-being,” she said.
“Earlier today, I addressed the Dáil on the record about our shared responsibility to uphold the dignity, safety and well-being of Members and staff and all of those who engage with work here in the Houses of the Oireachtas. This is a very serious and deeply disturbing development. I condemn and abhor all violence, particularly towards elected representatives. My thoughts are with Michael Healy-Rae and his family,” she added.
Michael Healy-Rae’s family say he is going to spend the next few days resting at home in Kerry as he recovers from his injuries.
No arrests have yet been made in relation to the assault.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who may have camera footage from the area at the time, to contact them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kevin Street Garda Station 01 6669400 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111