TD's office defaced with 'misogynistic' graffiti

(Above) Deputy Sorca Clarke's office in Mullingar.

A local TD's constituency office in Mullingar was defaced with obscene graffiti last night.

The perpetrators daubed what Sinn Fein TD Sorca Clarke describes as “misogynistic” graffiti, on the facade of her office on Church Avenue. They also painted graffiti on a number of other buildings on the street, including a local authority owned store room and a neighbouring shop.

However, the graffiti that was sexual in content was confined to Deputy Clarke's office. While she says that she does not know if her office was specifically targeted, she will be recommending that her all female staff in her offices in Mullingar, Longford and Athlone to be vigilant when leaving work.

Deputy Sorca Clarke in front of her Mullingar office this morning.

“I don't know if it is personal, but I do know that it is absolutely disgraceful, particularly from our point of view. My staff are all women and to have them coming into their workplace, an employment office that is funded through the taxpayer, to see it graffitied with penises outside the door is absolutely disgusting. I am so, so angry.

“They are misogynistic. The images speak for themselves, what the intent behind them was.

“The reality is all of my staff are women. I now have to ring my staff in Athlone and Longford and make them aware of what has happened here. I don't know what the intent behind this was, if there was more to this than just paint on the wall. I need to make them aware as an employer that they need to be more conscious of their safety at this time. That is absolutely horrendous.”

“It is so unfair. The bookshop at the end of the road only recently had the side of its building repainted [after previously being defaced]. I imagine that came at significant cost. I am going to have to do the same to this building as well.

Mullingar Gardai have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining footage from CCTV cameras installed on Deputy Clarke's office, as well as other neighbouring buildings.