SINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald was among canvassers threatened on a Dublin street today.

Gardaí are investigating the incident, which happened at around 4pm on North Strand Road, Dublin 1.

A video circulating online shows canvassers standing between McDonald and a man who was verbally abusing her and other members of the group. He also threatened to hit McDonald and others.

A woman was subsequently brought to hospital for medical examination.

The man can be heard saying: “Slap the phone out of my hand, you’ll get a slap in the face.”

He later says: “I’ll give her another bleeding slap.”

A child is also seen in the video.

A woman says, “watch my child,” and the man responds, “f*ck your child.”

The man can be heard shouting various names at individuals, such as “f*cking animal,” “bleeding tramp,” and “poisonous c*nt”.

He also used a transphobic slur multiple times.

He is heard threatening to “f*cking deck” one of the male canvassers.

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said that the incident happened as McDonald joined her local canvass team, which continued its work afterwards.

Polls opened this morning for the presidential election. McDonald and her party have backed Independent candidate Catherine Connolly.

Asked about the incident, a garda spokesperson said they responded to “a report of assault of two females on North Strand Road, Dublin 1″.

“No medical treatment was required at the scene, however An Garda Síochána understands that one of the females has since attended the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for further assessment,” they said.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information or camera footage of the incident to contact Store Street Garda station on 01 666 8000.

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris took to X to condemn the behaviour, which he said was appalling.

“Our democracy depends on people canvassing and advocating for their perspective and candidates,” he said.

“There is no place for abuse or threats. It’s vile and should be condemned outright by all.”

With reporting by Niall O’Connor and Jane Matthews.