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Taoiseach election canvasses disrupted in Co Mayo

Members of the Burke family heckled Simon Harris while he was on a walkabout in Castlebar and later in Westport (File image)
Members of the Burke family heckled Simon Harris while he was on a walkabout in Castlebar and later in Westport (File image)

Members of Enoch Burke's family have disrupted election canvasses being undertaken by the Taoiseach in Co Mayo.

The group, including the jailed teacher’s father Seán Burke and two others, heckled Simon Harris while he was on a walkabout in Castlebar and later in Westport.

Enoch Burke is detained in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin for his refusal to comply with court orders not to attend Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath, which dismissed him over what he said was standing up for his religious beliefs over transgenderism.

In Castlebar, protestors followed, filmed and shouted at the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

Two protestors, who had been raising issues relating to migration, had earlier shouted at the former taoiseach Enda Kenny in Castlebar.

After Simon Harris departed Castlebar, the group followed Ms McEntee as she was escorted back to her car.

Later in Westport, members of the Burke family again interrupted a canvass and heckled the Taoiseach.

Mr Harris later called for gardaí to investigate the events.

Speaking between his visit to Castlebar and Westport, the Taoiseach said: "It takes an awful lot to disrupt my energy and I certainly enjoyed continuing to talk to people in Castlebar, calling into cafes, calling into shops, getting out the message."