Gardaí are currently investigating a sequence of disturbances that occurred in Westport, Co Mayo, where Taoiseach Simon Harris was pursued by a group of protestors. Earlier, Harris was compelled to relocate a scheduled gathering to a different venue, kilometres away, in Castlebar.
A declaration issued from Harris’s office reported that the Taoiseach had been harassed and momentarily obstructed and a member of the Garda received a blow. Numerous protestors were on site in Westport, including relatives of Enoch Burke, the jailed Co Mayo school teacher who was sentenced for contempt of court.
Yet, there were no visible instances of any Burke family members interacting with the Garda or Mr. Harris in the recorded video footage of the incidents. At one stage, it seemed that a garda had been struck from behind, but it was unclear who was responsible. Mr. Harris happened to trip but remained on his feet.
The Taoiseach expressed his gratitude towards the Garda for their protective services during his Sunday visit to Co Mayo through a formal statement. The same statement labelled the recent disruptions as acts of “thuggery” and demanded a formal Garda investigation.
The response added, “On June 2nd, Gardaí in Mayo initiated an inquiry into the full scope of incidents that unfolded in Westport, Co Mayo. An Garda Síochána will refrain from making any further comments for the time being.”
During the Westport altercation, Mr. Harris was campaigning for the forthcoming elections, accompanied by the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Michael Ring TD, and Maria Walsh, Fine Gael’s MEP nominee for the Midlands-North-West district.
In Castlebar, the campaign event led by part of the group was disrupted when Sean Burke, Enoch’s father, tried to engage Ms. McEntee in a conversation about his son’s incarceration over the past year.
In the area of Westport, a series of similar situations unfolded with a heightened count of protesters. The scenes saw a garda getting hit, causing Mr Harris to trip. Despite this incident being rather trivial, the encounter of an unidentified individual with a garda and the Taoiseach’s subsequent stumble are predicted to be scrutinised during the Garda enquiry.
Just moments prior to his stumble, Mr Harris had been holding a frozen dessert in his right hand, and was using his left hand to emphasise that “Michael Ring is an astonishing TD”, while the assembled crowd of protesters recorded the affair on their mobile phones.
The Taoiseach’s office provided a statement on Sunday, insisting that the incidents in Mayo were more akin to hooliganism than protest. The Taoiseach extended his gratitude towards An Garda Síochána for their professional conduct. During the disturbance, a member of An Garda Siochana was struck and the Taoiseach himself was jostled by a handful of individuals.
The Taoiseach’s office highlighted that this was not an accurate representation of the generally positive political canvass in the country as the people of Ireland are respectable and law-abiding. Despite this being a minuscule group, their behaviour is unacceptable, should never be normalised, and merits a comprehensive Garda investigation.
On this day, the Taoiseach expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome he received from the Mayo locals and cherished the opportunity to mingle with people from different parts of the county, thanking them for their hospitality.
On Sunday, Mr Harris was scheduled to interact with journalists at Market Square, Castlebar, at 3.30pm once an event in Charlestown, where he inaugurated a memorial pitch and walkway in honour of murdered Garda Colm Horkan, had concluded.
The Taoiseach was joined by Ms McEntee, Ms Walsh, Mr Ring, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and local FG Councillor Ger Deere when they were subject to jeering and catcalling from a crowd. The press event was subsequently relocated to the car park of Islandeady GAA Club, about three miles away later in the day.
When inquired at the rearranged venue about the earlier disruption, Mr Harris attributed the melee in Castlebar to individuals involved in thinly disguised hooliganism, distanced from migration policy.
Mr Harris addressed the Enoch Burke situation, stating, “Our nation is structured such that the judiciary and the executive are wholly distinct. The necessity for compliance to court regulations is a paramount principle of democratic governance. It’s outright improper for me to voice opinions on court verdicts. Those expecting the Taoiseach to do so clearly lack comprehension of the Irish Constitution.
“Demonstrations play a pivotal role in the functioning of a democracy. However, there’s a distinction between a peaceful protest and an orchestrated disruption…” The Taoiseach stood firm in his resolve, insisting that he would not be swayed by disturbances. “My focus is unwavering and it requires a substantial force to shake that,” he affirmed.