Reckless language from Sinn Féin about ‘taking out’ Justice Minister is damaging and unacceptable – Heydon

Incendiary and reckless language from Sinn Féin TDs about taking out the Justice Minister in the aftermath of the deplorable violence in Dublin is extremely damaging and unhelpful, a Fine Gael Minister has said.

Minister Martin Heydon said the response from Sinn Féin to point the finger of blame at Government and the Garda Commissioner over the mindless thuggery perpetrated by a group of thugs is complete political point scoring when we need consensus on ensuring all are safe in our capital.

Minister Heydon said: “The criminality and wanton thuggery that we witnessed in Dublin on Thursday night appalled all and we should be extremely thankful to the frontline workers, the council staff, shop workers and others who have worked tirelessly since.

“Almost 50 arrests have been made in the city since Thursday and a high visibility policing plan is in place throughout the weekend, including the deployment of four public order units.

“My colleague, Minister McEntee and her Government colleagues are working continuously to assess what more can be done to support An Garda Síochána, either through additional resources or legislation,” Minister Heydon said.

Minister Heydon said comments by Deputy Louise O’Reilly this weekend are deplorable.

Deputy O’Reilly appeared on RTE Six One and said Justice Minister Helen McEntee needs to be taken out.

‘If she won’t resign, he needs to take her out, we of course have ruled nothing out,’ the Sinn Féin TD said.

“Taking people out is the type of language we heard from the thugs last Thursday night and now we have politicians using it,” Minister Heydon said.

“This extremely menacing and incendiary remark says a lot about Sinn Féin and the type of politics they would practice if they were in power. We already know of their questionable record when it comes to law and order.

“It’s safe to say that the public have had enough of threatening, extremist language and behaviour. We certainly shouldn’t expect to get it from a spokesperson from the Opposition at a time when tensions remain understandably high.

“No doubt there will be more grandstanding from Sinn Féin in the coming days. Incendiary remarks like ‘take her out’ are completely unacceptable,” Minister Heydon said.