A Fine Gael councillor was assaulted while out canvassing.

Cllr Humphrey Deegan, inset, was canvassing for party colleague John O'Sullivan in Clonakility, west Cork, when the incident happened.

Mr Deegan said canvassers were calling at houses on Connolly Street when a man launched obscenities and then hit him in the face.

"The level of abuse thrown at me was appalling. He was calling me a blue-shirt bastard and a liar," said Mr Deegan, who will report it to gardai.

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Irish Independent