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THE CAR OF a Sinn Féin TD was allegedly set on fire outside his home in Leitrim in the early hours of this morning.
It happened outside the home of the party’s justice spokesperson, Martin Kenny, a TD for Leitrim/Sligo at around 2.30am, a statement said.
Kenny reported receiving death threats, which were submitted to gardaí, following a speech on asylum seekers in the Dáil Chamber last week.
Nobody was injured during the incident and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald condemned the alleged arson attack on an elected official.
“Martin Kenny TD’s car was set alight and burned at his home in Aughavas at approximately 2.30am this morning in what appears to have been a very deliberate and targeted attack.
“I want to extend my solidarity and that of Sinn Féin to Martin Kenny and his family after what was a very frightening experience. Thankfully no member of the Kenny family was injured but it could easily have been different.
“An attack on the home or property of an elected public representative is a deeply serious and sinister development. It represents an attack on the democratic system itself.”
She added: “This despicable act is a reflection on nobody but the criminal thugs who perpetrated it and I know it will be rightly condemned by the people of Aughavas, Ballinamore and Co. Leitrim.”
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “I am appalled by the attack on Deputy Kenny’s vehicle last night. In a democracy we deliberate and debate – there is no place for violence. An attack on an elected member is an attack on all of society.
“It is an attack on democracy. I am asking anyone with information to please contact the Gardaí.”
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil’s Justice Spokesperson Jim O’Callaghan described it as a “shocking act of violence and intimidation”.
A garda spokesperson confirmed the fire took place at 2.30am this morning.
“A car was discovered on fire at this location. Gardaí and fire personnel attended the incident. The fire was contained to the car. No other property was damaged and no injuries reported,” they said.
“A Garda Forensic technical examination will now take place to establish the cause of the fire.”
Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information and who was in the area between midnight and 3am this morning, and motorists with dash cam footage, to contact them at Mohill garda station on 071 9631002, at the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Welcome!
Welcome your are valued and respected for your brave move.
Good man Nasir welcome to Ireland,
But never abandon your own people.
Keep their problems in the limelight
It is people like this we need to enrich our society, unfortunately economic migrants don’t stop to think about the damage they are causing to genuine asylum seekers……….
@Sean Higgins: And the difference between the two is…do you know?
@Maxwell Eddizon: No…¡
@Maxwell Eddizon:
Asylum Seeker
a person who has left their home country as a political refugee and is seeking asylum in another.
Economic Migrant:
a person who enters another country in search of work.
@Sean Higgins: And every irish person who has emigrated since the 20th century has been an economic migrant.
@Sean Higgins: Wrong. An economic migrant comes to improve his living standards…
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: fair enough but how many claimed asylum in the countries they moved to?
@Maxwell Eddizon: does the word economic not give it away, anyway I’d rather not get into a debate with a lad who answers his own questions, see above………..
@Sean Higgins: 11.5¿
@Maxwell Eddizon: sure didnt he say he was genuine ,is that not enough for you
@Sean Higgins: No debate – just Google it and you’ll quickly see I’m correct!
@Maxwell Eddizon: does searching for work not come under the heading of improving living standards?
@Sean Higgins: Who then would clean hotel rooms, serve food in mcdonalds and restaurants or picking mushrooms in cold temperatures, etc…there are thousands of economic migranst from eastern Europe who work really hard to improve their living standards. Unfortunately EU is not about the same standards for every states. If some of irish people are desperate for work, in my country we have the highest production of cars in Europe. The industry is booming. Hovewer, in Germany factory workers get around 8,5 eur per hour. In my country people can earn from 3-5 eur per hour, with nights and overtime even over 1000 eur. We have still high unemployment in many regions in the country. But we have very good weather, cheaper alcohol and cigarrets,but groceries, clothes and electronics cost as much as in Ireland and yes, we pay for usage of water (by the way owned by French). Welcome in an EU
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: True.
@Sean Higgins: They cannot claim asylum if they are not being persecuted inn their home country. Are you aware of Irish citizens fleeing their country due to persecution?
Sorry for every imperfection in my written English ;-) Particles in my native language don’t exist. I just wanted to add I wish there would be more tourists from the west in my country and in all eastern Europe. It would help our tourism and economy in general. But this is a bit utopian idea. Better to keep emigrating or staying making cars for 480-700eur, working in lidl or cleaning rooms for 400eur or in case of having a degree to move to a capital city, where earning 600-1200eur is much better while paying rent from 200-500eur per month and higher. I just correct our minimum wage per hour is 2,5eur. If you want to buy a property the average price per meter square is 1475eur. In the capital city, it could be even more than 3000 eur per meter square. According the latest statistics average cost of diesel: 0,96 (Switzerland), 1.08 (Poland), 1,22 (Ireland), 1,18 (my home country), 1,10 (Austria). Cost of unleaded 95: 0,95 (Switzerland), 1,10 (Poland), 1,33 (Ireland), 1,35 (my home country) and 1,05 our richer neighbour Austria. The highest fuel prices are recorded in the Norway, Italy, France and Portugal. And I know Ireland has the fourth most expensive electricity cost.
@Sean Higgins: “Enriched” No thanks sound likes forced multiculturism . All of Africa or the world can head for Europe as refugees .
@Sean Higgins: economic migrants can simply mean someone who moves to a different country to avail of its social benefits too.
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: Every person who emigrated from Ireland many years ago helped to build that Country they went to. That is why they were welcomed and yes there are migrants who work in this Country now and that is good. What about the people who come here and want to do nothing? It is mostly the Government’s fault as there’s no planning for the Migrant intake in other Wordsl they are feeding from the one breakfast bowl.
Nasir Great to have you here and looking forward to hear your opinions and culture
@Thee Orson Welles: Please publish YOUR name, and stand over your opinions, you anonymous coward.
@Thee Orson Welles: well SAID
He studied irish literature and is learning English. Well done.
Céad míle fáilte, sir!
Welcome .Try the stew Its delightful
@the druid: Coddle – proof that the eyes are a key part of the enjoyment of eating – coddle is a fantastic winter dish, but looks awful!
@the druid: had it at the Gravediggers in Glasnevin last week, can’t wait to go back for more.
Clearly a talented man we need to stop keeping talented people in dp when clearly they have a lot to contribute. Guys like this should just be given irish passport I don’t see any reason why not.
@Bhiniáimin Ó Beith: he’s still needs to go through the process first .. can’t be just handing out an Irish passport on the grounds that he seems a great man .
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: we need a few though
Lovely to see new faces to Ireland that will enrich our culture. It is wonderful to see a talented Journalist and Artist finding new purpose and of course safety and being able to express his opinions without fear and punishment ….You are so welcome sir, many thanks for sharing your story and lovely to see x
Wonderful little stories Luke these are meant to keep us all quiet, I’m sure this guy is a genuine person. My issue is the number of people coming in, I fear nobody has ran the numbers, we should not keep taking in people until we can sort out our own people. It’s not fair on people coming in, where do these people live? How do we feed, cloth them? Is there room in schools for children? Can health service cope? If we are going to help people, let’s help them properly. Liberal social justice warriors just want to show how good and noble they are. What about after the fact?!
Welcome Nasir. Keep writing about your country, the Sudan crisis has never really gotten the media attention it deserves. Never ever give in to clerical bullies like the NIF.
Welcome Nasir. I hope Ireland provides you and your family with s safe environment where you can all grow and flourish.
Great to hear a good sided story for a change, a land of a thousand welcomes to all peaceful law abiding people…
@Paul Maher: Muppet!
Failte roimh dhearthair
Welcome sir!
I have 5 of his paintings and we sponsored his art supplies by bartering… a very nice and genuine man
You are most welcome to our country!
Poor man ending up Longford.
Really nice story. Hope you embrace and lead as an example of 1 mans passion for what he does. Fair fooks.
Welcome Nasir! Good to have you here
Welcome Nasir, good hard working people are always welcome !
You are very welcome here and I hope your asylum case is processed quickly and that you and your family are happy in Ireland. Cead Mile Failte!
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