Man arrested after alleged assault on Roderic O’Gorman while on election canvass

A man has been arrested following an alleged assault on Minister for Children and Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman during an election canvass at the weekend.

Mr O’Gorman is said to be “shaken” by the alleged incident which occurred during a door-to-door canvass on Saturday in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin.

Sources close to the Minister told The Irish Times that the alleged assault occurred on a doorstep.

Mr O'Gorman did not sustain injuries and the alleged assault was prevented from escalating following intervention by a garda who was present.

Mr O’Gorman told The Irish Times: “On Saturday, while out canvassing in Dublin West, what was otherwise a positive canvass was marred by an alarming incident with one individual.

“I am grateful to the Garda Protection Officer assigned to me who was forced to intervene, and I have given a statement to the gardaí on the matter.”

The man in his 30s was arrested and is due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Monday.

A Garda spokesperson said: “A man in his 30s, arrested by gardaí following the alleged assault of an elected representative canvassing in his local community in Dublin on Saturday, 2nd November 2024, has been charged.

“He is scheduled to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Monday, 4th November, at 10:30am.”