Leitrim community 'will be as disgusted' by fire attack on TD's car

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy says he hopes those behind a fire attack on the car of a Co Leitrim TD are brought to justice.

It happened outside the home of his party colleague, TD Martin Kenny at Aughavas, near Ballinamore at around half 2.30 yesterday morning.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses who were in the area between midnight and 3am yesterday to contact them.

Mr Carthy says the community is appalled by the blaze:

"Knowing the people of Ballinamore and the surrounding areas, I know they will be as disgusted as anyone by this outrageous attack," he said, adding that Mr Kenny is "an outstanding public representative".

Clearly, we need to all condemn and, beyond that, we need to ensure something like this never happens again.

"Martin Kenny speaks the truth, who speaks and defends his own own community," the Sinn Féin MEP added.

Earlier in the week, Mr Kenny, Sinn Féin’s justice spokesman, received a death threat after speaking out against those who are “whipping up hysteria” about asylum seekers.

Mr Kenny first highlighted concerns when locals in Ballinamore protested outside an apartment complex earmarked for 130 asylum seekers.

He had supported proposals to accommodate asylum seekers in the area.

Independent TD for Donegal Thomas Pringle also condemned the arson attack, saying “it’s time the Government acted seriously on rising anti-immigration sentiment in the country which has now risen to unprecedented levels”.

Saying that he hoped that Deputy Kenny and his family can recover quickly from the "frightening and intimidating" experience, he added that it was worrying that the attack was connected to anti-immigrant opinion.

Deputy Pringle said: “It’s very concerning that this attack was based on anti-immigration sentiment and that a public representative has been targeted due to their comments in support of immigration and asylum seekers.

“Donegal has experienced arson attacks in Moville because of objections to asylum seekers coming into the town to stay in a Direct Provision centre. Attacks like these are horrific for a community to witness. I can only hope that acts like these only empower communities more to stand up against hate and violence.

“There are communities across the country including in Donegal who have done just that and rallied against acts of violence and hate towards asylum seekers by coming together in support of new people coming in and embracing the diversity that comes with new communities.

“However, the Government must take seriously the most recent arson attack on Deputy Kenny not only by providing increased supports for asylum seekers and communities hosting them, but by monitoring and targeting hate crimes including rising anti-immigration sentiment in the country.”