16.2.05
IOL
Shots fired at holiday home of Justice Minister
16/02/2005 - 09:10:26
An incident in which a shot was fired at the holiday home of Justice Minister Michael McDowell was condemned as “scandalous” by the Opposition today.
Gardaí are investigating after a window in the house near Rooskey, Co Roscommon, was discovered broken and a spent cartridge was found nearby.
Officers would not confirm that Mr McDowell’s house had been targeted. However, builders working on the home made the discovery and alerted gardaí who sealed off the premises.
Labour’s justice spokesman Joe Costello today described the attack as “scandalous” and “unprecedented”.
“The minister is quite a controversial figure but to threaten his safety and his privacy is a very serious matter.
“It’s not just an attack on Mr McDowell as a minister but as a father and a husband and a householder,” Mr Costello added.
“Whether it is a prank or something more sinister, it is very worrying.”
Gardaí and the Department of Justice refused to comment on new security arrangements around the controversial home.
It was the subject of a legal battle after Roscommon County Council refused to extend planning permission for the development. In January the High Court allowed the minister a further three months to carry out building works.
The workers found the broken window at the house today. However, the incident is believed to have taken place last weekend.
Construction work on the house is understood to have restarted.
Shots fired at holiday home of Justice Minister
16/02/2005 - 09:10:26
An incident in which a shot was fired at the holiday home of Justice Minister Michael McDowell was condemned as “scandalous” by the Opposition today.
Gardaí are investigating after a window in the house near Rooskey, Co Roscommon, was discovered broken and a spent cartridge was found nearby.
Officers would not confirm that Mr McDowell’s house had been targeted. However, builders working on the home made the discovery and alerted gardaí who sealed off the premises.
Labour’s justice spokesman Joe Costello today described the attack as “scandalous” and “unprecedented”.
“The minister is quite a controversial figure but to threaten his safety and his privacy is a very serious matter.
“It’s not just an attack on Mr McDowell as a minister but as a father and a husband and a householder,” Mr Costello added.
“Whether it is a prank or something more sinister, it is very worrying.”
Gardaí and the Department of Justice refused to comment on new security arrangements around the controversial home.
It was the subject of a legal battle after Roscommon County Council refused to extend planning permission for the development. In January the High Court allowed the minister a further three months to carry out building works.
The workers found the broken window at the house today. However, the incident is believed to have taken place last weekend.
Construction work on the house is understood to have restarted.
