Michael Healy-Rae assault: Man charged as Micheál Martin warns of rising violence in society

Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae. File Picture: Sam Baol/Collins

A man is due in court in connection with an assault on Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae, as the Taoiseach warned of growing violence in society.

The man, aged in his 50s, was detained at Kevin Street Garda Station for questioning following an attack on the Kerry TD, as he was stopped at traffic lights on Cork Street in central Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.

He has since been charged and is due to appear before a sitting of Dublin District Court on Friday morning. 

As Mr Healy Rae vowed not to be deterred from his political work, Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the attack on his former government colleague as "completely shocking".

The attack had left the Kerry TD with a "considerable number of stitches".

"For any individual in such a scenario, when the car window was down, you're at a traffic light and someone comes and punches you into the mouth and the head. That is very, very serious and concerning. It is, as the minister for justice has said, an attack on democracy," Mr Martin said.

The Taoiseach appealed for any witnesses to come forward "so that the person who did this can be brought to justice".

There seems to be an increased propensity for violence, for aggression, for hostility in our society, and that's something that's hugely regrettable. 

"It's not universal across the board, but certain elements are emerging who see that sort of aggressive, hostile way, up to physically assaulting, as acceptable. 

"We never had this before in our society and our democracy, which is relatively unusual in the sense that members of parliament and the government can walk on our streets and this is a significant moment that we have to contend with."

Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Roberts speaking to the media at Dublin Metropolitan Region Headquarters at Dublin Castle, about the assault of independent TD Michael Healy-Rae. File Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

European Commissioner Michael McGrath, who has responsibility for democracy and rule of law, told the Irish Examiner that the attack on Mr Healy-Rae could deter people from entering politics.

He said he was “shocked” to hear what had happened, and that it was not acceptable that any member of the public would be assaulted.

“My real concern is that such attacks can act as a deterrent to good people offering themselves for public life and may actually force people who are in public life to decide to exit.

“Our politics and our democracy would be all the poorer as a result.”

Earlier, Mr Healy-Rae said he will not be deterred from doing his work following the incident on Wednesday.

At the time, Mr Healy-Rae was on the phone with his son, Jackie Healy-Rae Jr.

In a statement, he thanked 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 had given him.

"I am also deeply grateful to the thousands of people from Kerry and across the country who have contacted me and my family. Your kindness and good wishes have meant a great deal to us."

Gardaí had said they were searching for a man, aged 50, wearing glasses, accompanied by a “medium-sized brown dog”.

Garda Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Roberts said that the man had been carrying a bright yellow square-shaped carrier bag and wearing a grey jacket over a two-tone top, with dark-coloured trousers.

Prior to the arrest yesterday afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Roberts said gardaí were in possession of a “good CCTV image” of the man.

Regarding the motivations for the assault, officers said they remain “unclear”.

Assistant Commissioner Roberts addressed people posting videos of the incident, or of any other matter which could be the subject of criminal investigation, saying it “is generally speaking best not done”.