Irish Examiner view: Abuse of politicians cannot be tolerated

If the person who flung excrement at Anne Rabbitte and Ciarán Cannon is not found and punished, others of a similar disposition may decide this is an example worth following

Those responsible for the disgusting act where bags of excrement were flung at Anne Rabbitte and Ciarán Cannon must be held to account. Picture: Moya Nolan

Yesterday, Anne Rabbitte, minister of state with responsibility for disability, and TD Ciarán Cannon revealed that bags of excrement were flung at them while attending a public event in Gort in Co Galway on Wednesday evening.

It need hardly be said that such behaviour defies comprehension and must be condemned in the strongest terms. There is a Garda investigation under way and those responsible need to be held to account. A disgusting act such as this cannot be allowed to pass without the appropriate punishment.