Man due in court after Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman allegedly 'attacked during canvas'

A man is set to appear in court - over an alleged attack on Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman.

The man, who is in his 30s, was arrested after Mr O’Gorman was allegedly assaulted while out canvassing in his Dublin west constituency.

It’s understood Mr O’Gorman was left badly shaken following the alleged incident in the Blanchardstown area on Saturday evening. The incident is alleged to have started when Mr O’Gorman called to a doorstep during a canvass ahead of the expected general election, thought to be pencilled in for November 29.

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Sources say a man pulled a folder Mr O’Gorman, who is the Minister for Children, Equality and Youth, was holding from his hands - before allegedly assaulting him.

Mr O’Gorman was not hurt during the incident - but sources say that was because an armed Garda protection officer who was shadowing him intervened.

All government ministers had armed Garda protection reinstated just over two years ago - because of increased fears that members of the cabinet could be targeted. The bodyguards were taken away from most ministers in 2011 because of budget cuts - but were brought back in October 2022.

Sources say gardai have become increasingly concerned about the safety of politicians - and believe the issue will only get worse once the election campaign kicks off.

Gardai confirmed on Sunday that a man had been arrested over the alleged attack on Mr O’Gorman, although the force did not identify the politician.

It said: “A man in his 30s, arrested by Gardaí following the alleged assault of an elected representative canvassing in his local community in Dublin on Saturday, 2 November, has been charged.

“He is scheduled to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Monday, 4 November, at 10:30am.”

And Deputy O’Gorman on Sunday paid tribute to the Garda protection officer who intervened.

He said: “On Saturday, while out canvassing in Dublin West, what was otherwise a positive canvass was marred by an alarming incident with one individual. I am grateful to the Garda Protection Officer assigned to me who was forced to intervene, and I have given a statement to the Gardaí on the matter.”

He also said he was worried about the increase in threats all politicians faced.

He said: “With an election due shortly, I am deeply concerned about the increase in abuse and threats that politicians face, particularly in the last number of weeks. It is abundantly clear that rampant misinformation on social media is driving extreme views. Misinformation is near-total on some platforms. I have seen the effects of that first-hand, for both myself and for many other elected representatives.

“We cannot tolerate a situation where people running for office – from all parties and none - face the threat of violence for doing so.

“I have been canvassing in Dublin West for more than 20 years. It’s my home. Meeting people and chatting through the issues has been and always will be at the heart of my work as a public representative.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: "I have spoken to Minister O’Gorman today. What happened to Roderic is absolutely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated or accepted in a modern democracy. I am so glad to hear he is ok and back out canvassing.

"I have been all across the country in recent months and it is important to state the overwhelming majority of people are fundamentally decent. Engaging directly with people is a core and fundamental part of our democracy and something I think people in this country value. It is essential in the weeks ahead that political candidates can go about their campaigning in complete safety and without fear.

“I know our Gardaí will always work to ensure this and I thank them sincerely for that. The safety of all politicians and all their canvassers is paramount in the forthcoming election."

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