A well-known local Drogheda Politician and Community Activist has spoken of his deep shock at being assaulted on a public street earlier this week.
Aontú representative Michael O’ Dowd says he was walking on Peter Street towards his car when a man kicked a wheelie bin in his direction, causing it to strike him
He says
“I was walking towards my car with my daughter when this incident happened. The same man had previously criticised me for my politics and had also shouted at me on occasion over the past year.
While I cannot state with certainty what motivated this latest incident, his previous comments give me serious reason to be concerned that I was targeted because of my political views and my work in the community.
Targeted
No community worker, political representative or member of the public should face intimidation or violence because of their views or because they speak up for their community.
I am not the first person that this happened to, and it simply has to stop . It is deeply distressing and I have to say my daughter was very shaken to witness such an act of pure aggression. If we want to encourage people to get involved in politics or get active in their respective communities this sort of nonsense must stop.
Threatening, aggressive and unruly behaviour has no place on the streets of Drogheda.
We need far more Garda visibility to deter this kind of anti-social behaviour.
I am renewing my call for community wardens, backed by a visible Garda presence, to tackle antisocial behaviour in the town centre. The full range of available measures—including behaviour warnings and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders—should be used where appropriate against persistent offenders.
Drogheda must remain a safe and welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors. Threats and acts of aggression must be taken seriously, and those who repeatedly cause fear and disruption must be held accountable.
