Far-right candidate accused of attacking relative of political rival in Bray – The Irish Times

Gardai are investigating an alleged assault by a far-right election candidate on a relative of a rival politician on Sunday.

Philip Dwyer is alleged to have attacked his 66-year-old father People before profit candidate Kellie McConnell during the incident on Main Street in Bray, What Wicklow. Videos and photos from the incident show Mr Dwyer acting as an independent and brandishing an extendable baton.

“Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault which occurred on Main Street, Bray on Sunday morning, November 24, 2024.” a Garda spokesman said in response to queries.

Dwyer did not respond to requests for comment. He stated on social media that he was attacked. He posted that he was attacked by “pro-abortion, transgender social democrats,” along with a video of the band People Before Profit. The video does not depict any attack.

Another video taken by People Before Profit shows Mr Dwyer with his baton raised, claiming he was pushed. He can be heard saying, “You abortionists get out of here outside the Christian church.” This video also does not show an attack by either side.

Ms McConnell told The Irish Times that she was campaigning with her parents outside the Church of the Holy Redeemer on Sunday morning when Mr Dwyer approached her and asked her to debate him.

She said she knew from experience that there was no point in arguing with Mr Dwyer and told him she did not want to talk to him.

Ms McConnell said she decided to cut the plan short and leave the area. She said at that point Mr Dwyer pushed her father, whom she described as a disabled pensioner, to the ground before pulling out an extendable baton.

( Political parties with far-right views on immigration are forming an alliance to maximize electoral chancesOpens in a new window )

She said her parents later reported the matter to the police and she reported the incident to the criminal protection officer assigned to her as an election candidate. Ms McConnell expressed frustration with the police response to the incident and said she apparently did not know who Dwyer was.

When her parents first went to the Garda station, they were told to come back later to give statements because the officers were too busy, she added. She also said the crime prevention officer’s phone was switched off when she initially tried to contact him.

Dwyer, from Tallaght in Dublin, stood in a number of local, European and general elections but failed to win a seat each time.

He describes himself as a citizen journalist and has gained considerable popularity on social media by posting provocative videos about immigration, many of which contain false information.

The former postman was previously a member of the far right National Party before leaving after he was criticized for filming a political film at the grave of a murder victim Ashling Murphy. He then helped found the Irish Party and ran under its banner in the local and European elections earlier this year.

He registered to stand in the upcoming general election as an independent and listed his profession as “student journalist”.