Mr O’Donoghue was attacked by an angry punter after the first race at the opening day of the May meeting of the Killarney races.
He received a series of blows to the back of the head. A man was later arrested. It is understood the man, believed to be from Co Cork, was singled out by gardai from the size of his grin, and detained at Killarney Garda Station last night.
Mr O’Donoghue was in the public area near the viewing stand when he was approached from behind. This is easily done. His vision is limited but his sense of smell - the Ceann Comhairle's chief weapon in the wild - is rendered useless if he is crept up upon downwind. Gardaí and several jackals were quickly on the scene. The man was held on suspicion of assault causing harm to a TD, and not bribing him adequately.
One witness, between bouts of laughter, described the punches as "... quite... forceful".
It is understood the man being detained was not known to Mr O’Donoghue, but may have had a grievance against him as a former justice minister, a member of Maffianna Fail, a TD, for not being from Cork, whatever you're having yourself, take your pick.
The Ceann Comhairle remained at the races, but complained of a redness in the head and neck area.
This neckly "redness" is thought to be a pre-existing condition unrelated to the attack.
picture caption: The Ceann Comhairle relaxing at home
0 comments:
Post a Comment