HOUSE TRAP

Protest mob stop TDs leaving the Dail

- LOUISE BURNE

• Gallows & noose held up amid crowd

POLITICIANS were prevented from leaving Leinster House yesterday evening as protesters blocked a convoy of cars by sitting on the ground.

Gardai made 13 arrests during what some politicians described as an "intimidating" protest held to mark the first day of the new Dail term.

Some protesters held gallows with a noose around a doll's neck and pictures of senior government and opposition politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

There were also images of Ministers Simon Coveney and Norma Foley, Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

Some held slogans which read "Irish life matters".

Speaking in New York, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that putting pictures of TDs on gallows was "reprehensible".

He added: "You seem to be suggesting that it's a very personalised attack and targeting of politicians.