Local election candidate who was attacked on campaign trail elected on first count

Independent councillor Tania Doyle and her husband were assaulted while postering in Blanchardstown last month

Tania Doyle (Independent) topped the poll and was elected on the first count in the Ongar LEA in west Dublin. Picture: Tania Doyle

An Independent local election candidate who was subjected, along with her husband, to a far-right assault during campaigning has topped the poll.

Tania Doyle was elected on the first count in the Ongar local election area in west Dublin, which is part of Fingal County Council.

She topped the poll with 2,057 votes and exceeded the quota by 631 votes.

Ms Doyle and her husband were assaulted early in the morning, a month ago, as they finished putting up election posters in the Blanchardstown area.

She said that at around 1.15am two men approached, one filming them and aggressively demanding to know her position on immigration. She said her husband was forced to stand between them, at which stage the man started throwing punches at the couple.

Ms Doyle said she feared for her husband’s life as he has health conditions.

The attack lasted for 15 minutes before the second man intervened, allowing Ms Doyle and her husband to run away.

Her husband’s glasses were smashed into his face, leaving a gash, and he suffered abrasions and cuts to his legs and arms.

Gardaí are continuing to investigation that incident.

Commenting on her X account on an attack on the Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen — forcing her to cancel her campaigning — Ms Doyle said:

We’re big enough to take critics on the chin but, from personal experience, deliberate personal physical attacks cannot be accepted nor condoned by society. 

"I’m no different to anyone but no politician, agree with them or not, is a punchbag for anyone else."