A MAN HAS been arrested today after an attempted assault on a general election candidate and leader of the United People party at his home in Drogheda.

Jeff Rudd told TheJournal.ie that he was waiting for a taxi to take him to the hospital to bring his newborn baby girl home for the first time.

A man called at the door and asked if he was Jeff Rudd of the United People party.

When he confirmed he was, the man tried to assault him but Rudd said his years of karate training allowed him to fend off his attacker and close the door.

The man then smashed a hole through the window beside the front door.

“I was pretty shook up for a while. You don’t expect this at your front door,” he said.

I never met this chap before, I had in no way come across him before.

Some of United People’s policies include opposing water charges, balancing parental rights and ending the Universal Social Charge. Rudd’s home is listed as the address for the party headquarters and it is believed this is how the man knew where to find him.

The incident has been reported to gardaí and a spokesperson confirmed this evening that a 36-year-old man was arrested over criminal damage to a house. He remains in custody at Drogeda garda station.

Rudd said the incident tainted what should have been a very special day for his family.

“I was really looking forward to bringing the baby home and you expect to be able to do these things unhindered. We were worrying about the child coming home to this. She came home later this evening instead after things calmed down and the gardaí had come and gone.”

This is not the first time Rudd has been targeted as he said his house has been stoned and his alarm was broken.

“You just don’t do these things. If you have an objection you do it peacefully, you don’t try to attack a person at their own front door.”

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