Karl Ronan: Salesman and father of two who attacked Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman

Karl Ronan (45), with an address at Erris Square, Waterville, in Blanchardstown, west Dublin, hid from cameras after appearing in court on Monday accused of assaulting Mr O’Gorman; Use or engage in threatening, abusive or insulting language or behavior; and damaging the board belonging to the party leader.

However, Sunday World Later in the week we caught up with the father of two near the scene of the attack.

Asked if he regretted the incident, Ronan said he was told not to comment on it.

“I’m not allowed to say anything. I’ve been told. I can’t comment at all.

“This is private property and a private street, and we are all private residents here. “I can’t comment on you or anyone else, and it should stay that way.”

Ronan admitted all three offenses through his lawyer Tertius van Eeden when he appeared before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday.

Judge McHugh accepted the plea and released the father of two on €100 bail to appear in court again on December 17.

Garda Joseph Rodgers, of Blanchardstown garda station, did not object to bail on the condition that Ronan have no contact with Mr O’Gorman and make no contact online or on social media about the case.

Wearing gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt, Ronan sat quietly throughout the brief hearing.

Judge McHugh said Mr O’Gorman should be given the opportunity to attend the court in person or send a letter to the court on his behalf.

The court was told Ronan worked in sales and earned €600 a week to support two young children and pay a €1,500 monthly mortgage. He applied for legal aid but was rejected.

The charges stem from an incident on Saturday while Mr O’Gorman was campaigning for the upcoming election.

In a statement, Mr O’Gorman said: “While investigating in West Dublin on Saturday, the normally positive picture was marred by a worrying incident with one individual.

“I am grateful to the Garda protection officer assigned to me who had to intervene and I made a statement to gardaí about the matter.

“I have been campaigning in west Dublin for over 20 years. This is my home. “Meeting people and chatting about issues is and always will be at the heart of my job as a public representative.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris said what happened to Mr O’Gorman was “completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated or accepted in a modern democracy”.

“I’ve been all over the country in recent months and it’s important to note that the overwhelming majority of people are basically decent,” he said.

“Communicating directly with people is a fundamental and fundamental part of our democracy, and I think it’s something that people in this country value. “It is crucial that political candidates can continue their campaigns completely safely and without fear in the coming weeks.”

It is unclear what the motivation was for the attack on Mr O’Gorman.

In one of the violent incidents in Hartstown, Dublin, during local elections, a thug punched Councilor Tania Doyle in the head after telling her “I’m going to destroy you” and beat her husband to the ground for not doing so. has anti-immigrant views

There have been other incidents of violence during local elections and politicians fear there will be more attacks on candidates during the general election campaign.

After weeks of speculation, Taoiseach Simon Harris this week officially called for the dissolution of the Dáil and confirmed that the General Election will be held on 29 November.