Independent councilor says she feared for her life after she and her husband were attacked – The Irish Times

An independent councilor says she fears for her life after she and her husband were violently attacked while putting up local election posters in west Dublin earlier this week.

Tania Doyle, who currently sits on Fingal County Council, said the incident occurred on Hartstown Road in Blanchardstown in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Ms Doyle had just finished putting up posters with her husband Derek, who is in his 50s, and one of their friends when they were approached by two men, one of whom began to ask her about her opinion on immigration and began to to film them.

“He started screaming in my face, shoving the phone in my face and trying to film me… I had given him my answer about immigration and my husband asked him to put his phone away,” she said.

“Then it just became chaotic, he jumped at us, there were punches and kicks and complete violence. It lasted about 15 minutes and it just wouldn’t stop. I begged him to stop and told him that my husband had health problems, heart problems, was epileptic and had seizures.

“I stood in front of him and he punched, kicked and attacked us. I received a blow to the side of the head. My husband tried to protect himself, any man would. I was so scared. All I could think was that we’ll never get out of here, we’re dead. He once hit my husband to the ground. I have never experienced such anger and violence in my entire life.”

Ms Doyle, who was first elected to the council in 2019, said the other man eventually tried to restrain the attacker, allowing them to escape.

“There was blood all over my husband’s face. It wasn’t quick, it was a fierce attack that lasted about 15 minutes. We are completely devastated. He hit my husband’s glasses in the face and wouldn’t stop. My left arm, shoulder and body hurt, my wrist and hands are swollen. My husband and I are taking painkillers for muscle pain. My husband said his body felt like it had been hit by a bus. It was a terrible experience.”

Ms Doyle said the attack had made her consider not standing in the upcoming local elections next month, but her family and friends had encouraged her to continue her campaign.

“We gave statements to gardaí, we went to our GP and I went out for a few hours yesterday to be interviewed and wore sunglasses as my eyes were red. I will definitely come out again. My team and friends have taken over the last few days, but honestly I can’t wait for the next three weeks to be over.”

Gardaí in Blanchardstown said they were investigating the incident and inquiries were ongoing.