Gardaí have arrested a man in his 50s in relation to an alleged assault that occurred on Cork Street, Dublin 8, on Wednesday 16th September 2026.
As Ben Scallan reported earlier today, the Independent Kerry TD thanked emergency services and hospital staff for the “care and assistance” provided to him following the attack.
“Following an incident in Dublin yesterday, I want to sincerely thank the Gardaí at Kevin Street Garda Station, the ambulance crew and all the staff at St Vincent’s Hospital for the care and assistance they gave me,” Healy-Rae said.
Healy-Rae also expressed gratitude to members of the public across the country who had contacted his family to offer support.
“I am also deeply grateful to the thousands of people from Kerry and across the country who have contacted me and my family,” he said.
“Your kindness and good wishes have meant a great deal to us.”
The Kerry deputy stressed that the assault would not prevent him from carrying out his parliamentary work.
“Whatever the intention behind this attack, I will not be deterred from continuing my work or from representing the people of Kerry to the very best of my ability,” he said.
He called for a serious discussion regarding the rising hostility faced by politicians and public figures in Ireland.
“However, we do need to have a serious conversation about the growing toxicity directed towards politicians and public representatives,” he said.
“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 confirmed that he had returned home to Kerry and expressed confidence in the ongoing police investigation.
“I’m back in Kerry, I look forward to getting back to work in the coming days and trust the Gardaí will find the perpetrator and bring him to justice,” he said.
As reported by Gript this morning, the assault occurred shortly after 4pm yesterday on Cork Street in the south centre of Dublin, where Healy-Rae was stopped in traffic.
He was in a vehicle featuring prominent signage bearing his name when an unidentified man struck him through the open car window, inflicting a head wound.
Gardaí brought the deputy to Kevin Street Garda Station before an ambulance transported him to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he received stitches before being discharged later that night.