Gardaí to investigate incident where councillor was injured while on campaign trail

Southern Correspondent

Gardaí have confirmed that they have identified the parties involved in an incident in which a Fine Gael councillor suffered injuries after an altercation with a member of the public while out canvassing in Clonakilty in West Cork.

Supt Colm O'Sullivan of Clonakilty Garda station said gardaí would fully investigate the incident in which Cllr Humphrey Deegan, a member of Clonakilty Town Council, suffered scratches to his face while out canvassing for party colleague Cllr John O'Sullivan who is running for Cork County Council.

“We have identified both parties involved in the incident, taken their names and addresses as well as those of a number of witnesses and we will take statements from everyone concerned and the matter will be fully investigated,” said Supt O’Sullivan.

Mr Deegan (52) told The Irish Times he would be making a formal statement of complaint to gardaí today regarding the incident which happened on Connolly Street in the centre of Clonakilty at about 4.30pm on Friday as he was canvassing with former Fine Gael councillor.

“I see this as an attack on people’s right to canvass and as a result, an attack on democracy – I’m not easily shaken but this shook me to the core because this fellow was just high on hatred – he was just mental, screaming abuse at me.”

Mr Deegan said the incident began when the man began shouting abuse at him from his car calling him “a lying Blueshirt bastard” and when Mr Deegan said he could call him a Blueshirt but not a liar and a bastard, the man got of his car and confronted him and knocked election papers from his hand

“I thought he was going to hit me so I caught him in a bear hug and I was watching that he wouldn’t head butt me when he scratched my face – there was no belting but just one rotten tear, said Mr Deegan who stands 6ft 2in tall and weighs 17 stone but said he was badly shaken by the assault.