Doherty condemns attack on Meath councillor's car

Louise Walsh

Fine Gael has 'completely condemned' an attack on a Meath councillors car outside his rural home.

Cllr Paddy Meade said he was 'shaken' after what he claims was, a failed petrol bomb attack outside his family's farm in Lobinstown in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The 29 year-old says he felt he had a lucky escape after discovering glass and, he says, a strong smell of petrol on the ground beside his car.

The windscreen of his newly-bought Audi A4 was broken in the incident and he believes that a home-made projectile failed to ignite when it was hurled at his car sometime in the early hours.

The maverick councillor, who made headlines during a cold snap in 2015  for taking council grit without permission for roads around his area, says his family have been left terrified.

"I came home from a meeting in Slane and fed a few lambs before going to bed around midnight.  I was going back out to the farm at 8am when I noticed glass beside my car.

"I went over to investigate and saw the car window had been broken and there was a really strong smell of petrol on the ground.  I was a bit slow in comprehending it all initially.  I firmly believe that it was bottle of petrol that was thrown at the car.

NOW READ: Meath councillor victim of apparent bomb attack

"I don't know what happened, whether the bottle failed to ignite or whether it went out when it was hurled.  All I know is that if a petrol bomb had ignited, my car was eight foot away from the house and two foot away from the garage, where there is a lot of inflammable substances.

"Thankfully my parents weren't home that night but they normally would be.  It has left them terrified that something like this could happen.

"It seems to be a wine bottle that was used but the top is missing.  I've only bought my 10-year old car three weeks ago and it's my pride and joy but at least scratches and windows can be fixed easily"

Cllr Meade is urging anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious or may have CCTV in the area to contact Navan gardai.

"I live in a very rural setting - the nearest house is half a mile away - but if anyone has CCTV along the main road, please check it out and report to gardai if they notice any unusual traffic at that time of night."

Navan gardai confirmed they were currently investigating the incident.

Speaking on LMFM radio earlier today (Wednesday) Cllr Meade said the attack may have been as result of some of his profile statements as a public representative.

Minister for Social Protection and Meath East TD Regina Doherty told the Meath Chronicle “I was shocked and angry to hear about the attack on Paddy Meade’s car, outside his family home. This was a stupid and dangerous thing to do, and I am relieved to know that neither he nor his family were injured.
I urge anyone who has information on this attack to, please, come forward to An Garda Síochána with that information. 
I wish Paddy and his family the very best as they recover from this attack and I will continue to support him against his detractors and in his good work for the people he represents.”
 

Fine Gael has completely condemned the attack

They said: “Fine Gael completely condemns the attack at the family home of Meath Cllr Paddy Meade this week. 

"Thankfully, Mr Meade and his family members were unharmed.

"Any attack on a person, whether they are a public representative or a private citizen, or on their property, must be unreservedly condemned.

"This is a matter for An Garda Siochana and anyone with any information on the incident should contact gardai immediately.”