Fine Gael TD ‘recognised’ anti-abortion protesters from local church

Fine Gael TD Derek Keating has said he recognised anti-abortion protesters whose names he gave to gardaí after they protested outside his home from his local Catholic church.

The Dublin Mid-West deputy said he was a regular attender at St Mary’s Parish in Lucan. More than 30 protesters gathered outside his home on Sunday morning, he said.

“They were a group of residents. I would associate them with the local parish church. I’d know some of them from seeing them there,” he said.

A response has been sought from the church.

Mr Keating claimed the protesters rang his doorbell and banged on a window when he did not respond.

“I considered them to be very threatening and it was very intimidating. They were chanting on the street, referring to murder. Neighbours found it unsettling,” he added.

Mr Keating said he called the gardaí, but the group had left before they arrived. He said he provided names of people he recognised to the gardaí. He said some had previously come to his clinic to discuss the issue of abortion legislation.

The TD said he never had any difficulty meeting anybody about any issue.

Co-parish priest Fr Thomas Kennedy said he had no comment to make on the matter.