UPDATED: Constituency office of Kildare government minister and TD is targeted by activists

The Naas constituency office of a government minister and a Kildare TD has been targeted  in an incident apparently orchestrated by activists.

Dep James Lawless, who topped the poll in the Kildare North constituency in the November 2024 general election, had the facade of his office vandalised earlier this week.

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The building, located at Wolfe Tone Street, which links Dublin Road with Sallins Road, had red-coloured paint splashed on the facade, a window sill and paint was also thrown on to the adjacent footpath.

The message “Speak up 4 Palestine” was daubed in red letters on the window.

Mr Lawless has described the incident as an attack on democracy at a place used to serve his constituents.

Dep Lawless is the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2016 and was previously a member of Kildare County Council.

It is thought that the incident took place on the Easter holiday Monday and that CCTV images appear to show two people in the Wolfe Tone Street area wearing balaclava-type headgear after dark. 

The gardaí have confirmed that a report was made to them concerning an incident of criminal damage at a premises on that street on April 21.

A garda spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing.

Mr Lawless said while he has sympathy with the Palestinian cause, the incident is criminal damage against an office that exists to serve the public and he has reported it to gardai. The culprits were recorded on CCTV from local premises and a line of investigation is being progressed, he added.

"Whilst I am not alleging any connection between them, a group of pro Palestinian protesters regularly demonstrates outside my office. I fully support free speech and the right to protest but I have had to ask the group to step back from the doorway and stop shouting outside as it can be impossible to work or hold clinics with drums beating and chanting outside the window, it is intimidating for both my office staff and members of the public attending clinics during it. I have attempted to speak with the protesters and have invited them to sit down with me and discuss the issues, I am hopeful they will take up that offer soon.

"Ireland is one of the EU states most supportive of Palestine, we have recognised its national sovereignty, recognised it as a State and are exploring further sanctions on trade by blocking goods from the settlements being exported. This is not easy or straightforward and involves complex issues of EU law and international agreements. When I was a Minister in the Department of Transport, I worked to strengthen the sanctions regime for overflights carrying weapons in breach of Irish law - again this is not easy or straightforward but best efforts are being made.

"Ultimately my constituency operation is about serving the general public which I do day in, day out and have done since I was first elected in 2014. An attack on my office is an attack on democracy but I will continue to serve the people of North Kildare and Ireland to the best of my ability."