A councillor for a pro-life political party in Northern Ireland has suffered an unprovoked physical assault over his views on abortion.
Emmet Doyle, Aontú councillor for Derry and Strabane District in Northern Ireland, has suffered an unprovoked and vicious attack over his pro-life views according to reports.
The attack took place in the early hours of Friday morning. Mr Doyle said: “After entering a food establishment alone, a group of people entered, some of whom I recognised to be members of a group deeply opposed to my stance on the right to life”.
“They engaged me verbally and I left with my order”.
“On leaving the premises I was accosted and received a cut to my head, bruises and black eyes. The attack was unprovoked”.
A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed reports that a man had been punched in the face multiple times by an unknown male.
“Nothing will stop me serving my constituents, I won’t be silenced”.
Councillor Doyle explained: “I rang the police after the event to report the attack, but they didn’t attend the scene and rang me some time later”.
“I was contacted and asked to come to the Strand Road Police Station this afternoon which I did, to be told no one was available to take my statement. I will attempt to do so again in the coming days”.
Mr Doyle added: “As an elected representative, I passionately defend what I believe in and act on behalf of constituents regardless of their views. I would never think of physically attacking an opponent, we are all entitled to our views and the respect to communicate them”.
He continued: “Nothing will stop me serving my constituents, I won’t be silenced”.
Abortion was imposed by Westminster on Northern Ireland in 2020.
Right To Life UK spokesperson, Catherine Robinson, said: “If the allegations of assault due to Mr Doyle’s pro-life position are substantiated, we must demand that abortion supporters condemn the violence”.
“Just over two years ago, unborn children had strong protections under the law. Now, a councillor for a political party that is openly pro-life is being assaulted for being pro-life. If Mr Doyle was assaulted for being pro-life, this could represent a dangerous escalation of the debate about abortion in Northern Ireland”.
