Fine Gael Councillor Allegedly Assaulted While Canvassing In Cork

A Fine Gael Councillor has reportedly been assaulted while out canvassing for votes in Clonakilty, West Cork, yesterday afternoon. According to the Irish Independent, Councillor Humphrey Deegan was canvassing for party colleague, John O'Sullivan when the incident occurred. Deegan claimed the party were canvassing door to door yesterday when a man began shouting obscenities at him. Deegan had apparently been trying to restrain the man in question when the incident occurred. The man in question apparently knocked election literature out of Deegan's hand and the Councillor restrained him, which was when he suffered the injury. The Fine Gael councillor told the Journal: “What disturbed me was the viciousness of the attack and the verbal abuse — just because I held a different political view to him.” Both parties are expected to make statements to the police this week. Deegan's injuries were checked but were not serious.

Victim of Today'svicious assault in Clonakilty by Sinn Fein cheering attacker while canvassing for FG John O Sullivan pic.twitter.com/b2TCq9t5Pz — Jim Daly (@jimdalytd) May 9, 2014