A sinister arson attack at the home of a Sinn Fein TD politician has been blamed on racist thugs.
Martin Kenny’s car was torched in the early hours of yesterday just yards from his family home near Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.
The 2.30am attack on the married father of four happened just days after he received death threats.
That followed a speech in the Dail where Mr Kenny, 48, slammed “fear-mongering,” and people whipping up hysteria in relation to immigration.
After the threats he said: “Someone who is going to do something does not text you first to tell you they are going to do it so I am not taking it too seriously.”
Leading the condemnation, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “In a democracy, there is no excuse for violence or vandalism to pursue political aims. Ever. Indeed it is an attack on democracy in itself.”
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said he was appalled, “In a democracy we deliberate and debate - there is no place for violence. An attack on an elected member is an attack on all of society.”
“It is an attack on democracy,” he added.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “This was a deliberate and targeted attack. Thankfully no member of the Kenny family was injured but it could easily have been different.
"An attack on the home or property of an elected public representative is deeply serious and sinister.
“This despicable act is a reflection on nobody but the criminal thugs who perpetrated it and I know it will be rightly condemned by the people of Aughavas, Ballinamore and Co Leitrim,
Mr Kenny has supported a proposal to accommodate asylum seekers in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, where a local group has mounted a round-the-clock silent protest in opposition to the plan.
In a statement last night protest leaders condemned the fire bomb attack.
Ballinamore Community Group spokesman Gordon Hughes described the attack as “shocking.”
He added: “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the news this morning of criminal acts being perpetrated against Martin Kenny TD and his family.”
He added the protest against plans to bring 130 asylum seekers was peaceful and respectful.
“It is our firm commitment that it will continue in the same way. Any other elements are not indicative of the community of Ballinamore,” he added.
Deputy Kenny was unavailable for comment yesterday.
