Cathaoirleach calls for 'respect' after Healy-Rae assault

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council Carmel Brady has spoken out after the assault on TD Michael Healy-Rae in Dublin yesterday.

"It doesn't matter what party he is from or none, everybody is entitled to go out and do their day's work to the best of their ability in public without being assaulted," Cllr Brady (FG) told the Celt.

"Nobody deserves to be assaulted by anybody."

A man has since been arrested and is being held at Kevin Street Garda Station in relation to the incident.

The man is said to have assaulted Deputy Healy-Rae through the window of his car in the Cork Street area of the city.

The Kerry TD attended St Vincent’s University Hospital, being discharged last night with stitches for a head wound.

The Cathaoirleach said she has "absolutely" witnessed a worrying and alarming rise in this type of aggressive behaviour towards politicans and the establishment in recent years.

"They want everything yesterday, there's no waiting," she says, explaining that this attitude could be a result of social media or internet use, where information is accessible instantaneously.

"They think that services and anything that they are looking for, entitled to or not, that they are entitled to get it there and then," she shares. "It doesn't matter what work you are in, it's not necessarily political."

Cllr Brady urged for calm.

"We have to learn to have respect," she said, wishing Mr Healy Rae "all the best" in his recovery.