Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has removed an election poster from beside the scene where a homeless man suffered "life-changing injuries."
It's understood the homeless man was sleeping in a tent when he was seriously injured by an industrial vehicle during works being carried out by Waterways Ireland.
He was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where he reportedly underwent surgery for what are said to be life-changing injuries.
Mr Murphy said he was "saddened" after hearing a homeless man was critically injured in an incident in Dublin yesterday.
He said that he has "demanded a full report" into the incident, which gardai are investigating.
Photos had circulated of Mr Murphy's campaign poster which had been displayed just yards from the site of the incident.
Mr Murphy said: "I was saddened to hear of the incident by the canal yesterday. My thoughts are with this poor man as he recovers in hospital"
He added: "My campaign poster which was located at the scene has been removed."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was “concerned” about the incident but also moved to distance the government from the issue by saying that it was “the responsibility of Dublin City Council.”
He also called on the Lord Mayor of Dublin to make a statement.
Dublin City Council said in a statement earlier today: "An incident occurred yesterday, January 14, 2020, involving a homeless man on the Grand Canal during a process where Waterways Ireland were removing tents that were placed in a precarious and dangerous location.
"An individual was injured during the process and was taken to hospital. The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive is currently liaising with the hospital and every support is being provided.
