Gardaí investigate after vehicle of Aontú election candidate damaged

Ms O’Sullivan said she returned to her vehicle at the count centre in Killarney Sports and Leisure centre in Killarney on Sunday to find it was damaged. She contacted gardaí in Killarney about the incident and says she is disappointed that something like this occurred during an election.

Speaking following the incident, Mrs O’Sullivan returned to her vehicle which had her logo on it, to see that someone had run a key or other sharp object alongside her car. Given the restricted access to the count centre, she believes someone involved either in the count or with another party had taken the decision to do this, she alleges.

“I am extremely disappointed that someone would stoop so low as to physically damage my property because they disagree with my politics and are obviously unable to mount a political defence of their own views, instead resorting to this.

“It is the right of every person to hold their own political viewpoint which I absolutely respect, and I personally met many of the candidates competing for a seat in Kenmare LEA yesterday to congratulate them after I was eliminated, which is the adult thing to do. For someone to act so childishly is disappointing.”

She said she reported the incident to gardaí and says the matter now lies with them but she would ask for the person to come forward.

“I have lodged a formal complaint with Killarney Garda Station and given the site is covered extensively with CCTV, I would hope that the perpetrator is found,” she said.

“I would ask for that person to come forward before the Gardaí find out who they are and for them to repair the damage they have caused, I believe in second chances and if that person has the decency to do so I will not go further with the matter however if they do not I will allow the Gardaí to pursue this as a criminal matter.”

Gardaí have confirmed they received a report of an incident of criminal damage in Killarney, on Monday, June 10 and investigations are ongoing.