TD warns of potential 'Jo Cox moment' as Michael Healy-Rae harassment video goes viral

A TD has speculated on whether Ireland will see a potential "Jo Cox moment" in the near future. 

Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh made the comment following the circulation of a viral video showing fellow TD, Michael Healy-Rae, being escorted from Leinster House demonstrators by members of An Garda Síochána. 

The video, which made the rounds on social media yesterday (September 20), appears to show Deputy Healy-Rae walking through a crowd of people shouting obscenities. 

A second video shows the Deputy being pushed from behind, with more than one person throwing unknown items at him. 

Flanked by Gardaí on either side, Healy-Rae can be seen being followed by dozens of people. 

One person can be heard saying, "You're worse than a piece of shit!" while another said, "Enemies! Yous are enemies!" 

Several people also shouted, "Traitor!" at the retreating Healy Rae's back. 

The demonstrators had gathered outside Leinster House due to anger over immigration policies and proposed hate-speech laws. 

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Deputy Ó Cathasaigh, shared a video of the incident and said, "Do we imagine we're far from a Jo Cox moment? We've pretended to ourselves that we're immune to this kind of dangerous polarisation in this country. We are not." 

Do we imagine we're far from a Jo Cox moment? We've pretended to ourselves that we're immune to this kind of dangerous polarisation in this country. We are not. https://t.co/TBK4hyb8xG

— Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD (@MarcKC_Green) September 20, 2023

British politician Jo Cox died in 2016 after being shot and stabbed multiple times in the street of a village where she had been due to hold a constituency surgery. 

The man responsible, who reportedly held extreme views, was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Gardaí have since confirmed thirteen people were arrested in relation to incidents which took place around the government buildings yesterday (September 20). 

Two men (40s) have already appeared before the Courts, while two women (40s and 30s) and nine males (ages ranging from 20s-60s) are due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin at a later date. 

In the wake of the incident, Deputy Healy-Rae published a statement on X and said, "I come to Dublin to represent the good people of this country. Nothing will ever deter me from doing my job.

"I’ve no issue with protesting, never have, never will but you can see the videos circulating and judge for yourselves if that behaviour and use of language is acceptable."