Suspect in alleged Roderic O'Gorman attack shouted 'I have been waiting for you to come to my door' before shoving Minister

A man is due in court today over an alleged assault on Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman.

And sources told us last night the accused allegedly shouted: “I was waiting for you to come to my door” before shoving the Children’s Minister.

The man is also alleged to have ripped a clipboard from Mr O’Gorman’s hands – which gardai now believe may have been filmed on a camera phone.

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The suspect, who is in his 30s, was arrested after the TD was allegedly assaulted while out canvassing in his Dublin West constituency on Saturday. It’s understood he was left shaken but uninjured following the alleged incident in Blanchardstown.

Sources say an armed Garda protection officer who was shadowing Mr O’Gorman intervened. The insider added: “It could have been much worse if the officer, who acted very quickly, was not there.”

The officer moved in once he realised what was unfolding and prevented a potentially more serious incident. The alleged suspect shoved the TD twice before he was restrained.

All ministers had armed Garda protection reinstated just over two years ago – because of increased fears senior politicians could be targeted. They were taken away from most ministers in 2011 because of budget cuts.

Gardaí confirmed yesterday that a man had been arrested but did not identify the politician involved. It said in a statement the man would appear in court today It said: “A man in his 30s, arrested by Gardaí following the alleged assault of an elected representative has been charged. He is scheduled to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Monday at 10:30am.”

He is expected to be charged with a section two assault – a relatively minor offence but one that could still lead to a fine and a maximum 12-month prison term on a conviction. Mr O’Gorman, who was back on the hustings yesterday, paid tribute to the Garda protection officer who came to his aid.

He said: “On Saturday, while out canvassing, 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 on the matter.”

“With an election due shortly, I am deeply concerned about the increase in abuse and threats that politicians face.

“It is abundantly clear that rampant misinformation on social media is driving extreme views. Misinformation is near-total on some platforms. I have seen the effects of that first-hand, for both myself and for many other elected representatives.

“We cannot tolerate a situation where people running for office – from all parties and none – face the threat of violence for doing so. I have been canvassing in Dublin West for more than 20 years. It’s my home. Meeting people and chatting through the issues has been and always will be at the heart of my work as a public representative.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris, whose home in Wicklow has been targeted, also condemned the incident. He said he had spoken to Mr O’Gorman – who was elected leader of the Greens in July – and added what happened to him was unacceptable.

He said: “I have been all across the country in recent months and it is important to state the overwhelming majority of people are fundamentally decent. Engaging directly with people is a core and fundamental part of our democracy and something I think people in this country value.

“It is essential in the weeks ahead that political candidates can go about their campaigning in complete safety and without fear. I know our Gardaí will always work to ensure this and I thank them sincerely for that.”

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