Graffiti on office an ‘attempt to intimidate me and my team’, Fianna Fáil TD says

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

A TD has said graffiti on his constituency office in Co Tipperary was an attempt to “intimidate me and my team”.

Fianna Fáil’s Ryan O’Meara (30), who was elected as a TD for the first time in November, said the incident had been highlighted to gardai.

The word “traitors” was written on the TD’s Thurles office where it was discovered on Friday morning as voters went to the polls to elect the next President of Ireland.

The TD for Tipperary North said “no one should face threats or intimidation at work”.

“This morning’s attack on my office is more than an act of vandalism,” he said in a statement.

“It is a deliberate attempt to intimidate me and my team, and any action that threatens our democracy must not be tolerated.

“Those responsible are attempting to disrupt the work of my team. Any attack on politicians and their staff must be treated seriously, and I have contacted the gardaí.

“I want to acknowledge the members of my fantastic constituency team, who work every day to support our community.

“They do important work, providing advice and assistance to constituents, and it is completely unacceptable for anyone’s workplace to be targeted. No one should face threats or intimidation at work.

“These actions are a disservice to the community as a whole and an attack on the people of North Tipperary and North West Kilkenny, who democratically elected me as their local TD.

“Those responsible must be held to account. I will continue to ensure that my staff can work safely and without fear.

“Democracy depends on public representatives being able to do their jobs without harassment or intimidation, and we cannot allow actions such as this to stand in the way of that.”

An Garda Siochana have been contacted for comment.