The man assaulted two women amongst a group of canvassers, including Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald (Liam McBurney/PA)
Sarah O’Mahony and Fionnán Sheahan
Yesterday at 12:17
Gardaí have arrested a man following an alleged assault on canvassers in Dublin city yesterday.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou MacDonald was among those canvassing on the North Strand Road, Dublin 1 when two females in the group were assaulted yesterday.
The man, aged in his 30s, is currently being detained in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, according to a garda spokesperson.
Ms McDonald and a group of about 10 campaigners were delivering leaflets at the time of the incident.
The woman who was injured was not a Sinn Féin activist, but was part of the wider Connolly campaign. The left-wing parties backing the Independent TD have been conducting joint canvasses in the campaign.
The group was approached by man shouting a range of abusive phrases, ranging from sectarian to transphobic comments.
Some of the insults were directed at Ms McDonald.
Video footage shows a canvasser on the ground injured. Ms McDonald can be heard saying: “Call the cops.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald (Liam McBurney/PA)
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Saturday, October 25
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said; “A man assaulted a young woman who was part of a team getting out the vote near the Five Lamps in the north inner city.
“The Gardaí were called and are now investigating the matter.
“The woman has been brought to hospital for medical examination. This happened as Mary Lou McDonald joined the canvass team, which is now continuing with it’s work of getting the vote out.”