LABOUR MEP PHIL Prendergast was spat at and called “Labour Scum” in Cork last week.
The attack happened as the 54 year old was making her way to the funeral of the father of Labour TD Ciaran Lynch.
Prendergast told TheJournal.ie that she was walking along Tramore road when this man approached her, called her “Labour scum” and spat in her eye.
“I have no difficulty with people having a different view or even being angry and expressing themselves in loud tones.
I have no problem with that but this…I felt physically sick.
“I had a tissue in my pocket so I quickly cleaned out my eye before making my way to the funeral”.
Gardaí
Prendergast said that she spoke to the Sergeant at Anglesea Street Garda Station in Cork and that he was extremely supportive and helpful.
She explained that while the incident wasn’t caught on Garda CCTV cameras, Gardaí hope private security cameras may help identify the man.
I received follow up calls and was given the name of a victim support service.
She said “I appreciate their follow up from a professional aspect.
The gardaí get a bad deal but there’s bad eggs everywhere. In nursing, midwifery, banking, politics…everywhere.
Attacks
The Labour MEP said that she got blood tests for HIV and Hepatitis since the attack.
She also added that many people have got in touch to say that it has happened to them too.
Prendergast cited two stories that were told to her since the attack. One in which a refugee was asked while walking along the street “How much do you charge?” before being spat at.
And a second scenario in which a woman in Kerry was attacked by a man who mistook her to be his ex partner.
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