Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5766Harassment · Co. Mayo · 2 Jun 2024

Gardaí investigate push and jostling of Taoiseach Simon Harris in Westport, Mayo

On Sunday 2 June 2024, Taoiseach Simon Harris was reportedly pushed and jostled during a campaign canvass in Westport, Co Mayo, after members of the Burke family followed his delegation from Castlebar and shouted at and filmed them. The Burke family members are not named as arrested or charged in the reports. Gardaí in Mayo confirmed on 4 June 2024 that they are investigating the circumstances of the events in Westport. The latest report says Harris would not be deterred from campaigning.

  1. Reported4 Jun
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Taoiseach Simon Harris was reportedly pushed and jostled while on the campaign trail.
  • Members of the Burke family, whose son Enoch Burke is in Mountjoy, confronted the delegation, followed it, and shouted at and filmed it.
  • Harris reportedly stumbled while walking from under the scaffolding.
When
The events took place on Sunday 2 June 2024.
Where
  • The canvass began in Castlebar, Co Mayo, and the delegation then moved to Westport, Co Mayo.
  • The incident happened outside a building in Westport where Harris was walking from under scaffolding.
Other details
  • Justice Minister Helen McEntee and local MEP candidate Maria Walsh were canvassing with Harris.
  • Enoch Burke is in Mountjoy for refusing to purge his contempt of court over a transgender row.
  • Harris said he would not be deterred from campaigning.
Investigation
Gardaí in Mayo confirmed they are investigating all the circumstances of events in Westport on 2 June 2024.
Charges
The reports do not mention any arrest or charge.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSimon Harris was pushed and jostled while on the campaign trail. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe Burke family members followed the delegation to Westport and began shouting and filming them. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe Taoiseach stumbled while walking from under scaffolding outside a building in Westport. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe initial canvass took place in Castlebar, Co Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí in Mayo are investigating the circumstances of events in Westport on 2 June 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherEnoch Burke is in Mountjoy for refusing to purge his contempt of court over a transgender row. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHarris said he would not be deterred from campaigning. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Jun2024
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai probe Simon Harris and Enoch Burke family ambush in Mayo

    Reports that Gardaí in Mayo are investigating the circumstances of events in Westport on 2 June 2024, in which Taoiseach Simon Harris was pushed and jostled by the Enoch Burke family during a canvass. Harris said he would not be deterred from campaigning.

    victim, Simon Harris, male, irish (judged from name)Simon Harrissuspect, Sean Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Burke