Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has strongly condemned an attack on Independent TD Carol Nolan’s office this week, urging any potential witnesses to come forward with information.
On Monday this week Deputy Nolan posted on social media that the door of her Tullamore office had the glass smashed in an apparent act of vandalism.
“Unfortunately my office on Harbour Street Tullamore was targeted in the early hours of this morning,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
“The glass in front door was smashed, nothing was taken from inside the office. If anyone happened to see anything or if anyone has any information, please contact Tullamore Garda Station.”
Speaking in the Dáil this week during Leaders’ Questions, Minister Harris took the opportunity to condemn the act.
“At the outset, I will call out and condemn what happened to the Deputy’s constituency office,” he told Nolan.
“I am thinking of her and her staff and would encourage anyone with information to come forward to the Garda in Offaly. It was an utterly despicable act that should be called out and condemned by all.”
Nolan thanked the Minister for his comments.
“I thank the Minister for his comments of support – they are appreciated,” she said.
Similarly, Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan voiced his support for Nolan on X, formerly Twitter.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on the office of my Dáil colleague Carol Nolan TD,” he said.
“This was a wanton act of criminal vandalism & an attack on democracy. I urge anybody with info to contact Tullamore Gardai and I want those responsible to face the full rigours of the law.”
I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on the office of my Dail colleague Carol Nolan TD. This was a wanton act of criminal vandalism & an attack on democracy. I urge anybody with info to contact Tullamore Gardai & I want those responsible to face the full rigours of the law. https://t.co/OE3VaWa1q5
— Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) February 26, 2024
In the aftermath of the attack, Nolan said she would continue to represent her constituents “undeterred” in the face of the vandalism.
“Thanks also to the constituent who reported the incident early yesterday morn and to the Gardaí who came out to investigate,” she said.
“I will continue to represent the people of Offaly and Laois undeterred!
“Yesterday we kept our office open and worked away as usual after the glass was swept up and the office was made safe to the public. Thanks so much to local business Tullamore PVC and their staff who were out quickly to help resolve the problem…onwards and upwards!”