Local election candidate, Christy Galligan, said he is deeply shocked after his campaign team were surrounded by protesters on the Market Square in Letterkenny yesterday, and subjected to abusive and intimidating behaviour.
Election candidate Christy Galligan
The former Garda was canvassing with family and friends when he claimed they were set upon.
“A member of my campaign team was going around with speakers on her car, and at one point, had her younger sister in the back of the car as she was dropping her off at a relative’s house.
“There was an anti water charges protest in the Market Square in Letterkenny, which the campaign member was not aware of at the time. As they approached the Market Square drove down Letterkenny Main Street, their car was surrounded by protesters and she was verbally abused while her young sister was terrified, and placed in great fear and distress.
“They also banged on the car roof several times, and someone was filming the event on a phone.
“The campaign member repeatedly asked these demonstrators to stop, particularly because there was a child in the back seat – but they didn’t listen. The vile verbal abuse, intimidation and harassment suffered at the hands of these thugs, mostly female may I add, is the very antithesis of everything I and other law abiding people stand for,” he said.
Mr Galligan said formal statement has been made to the Gardai in Letterkenny and the matter is now under investigation with a view to identify the criminal effort involved in the protest.
“I agree we are entitled to protest in a peaceful, law abiding manner, but when you verbally abuse, intimidate and threaten people who were helping on an election campaign, then your protest is no longer a lawful protest but and affray, which then becomes unlawful.
“This disgraceful episode, like other episodes where Fine Gael and Labour Candidates are being assaulted, intimidated and verbally abused, because of their commitment to the democratic process is disgraceful.
“We as a public must take a clear look at ourselves as to what direction we want to go as we move forward. We either live in a Democracy or we live in fear. Which would people prefer?,” he asked.
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