The disturbing scenes outside a Dublin school last week, where supporters of the campaign against the introduction of water charges verbally insulted President Higgins, have been rightly deplored, and wholly condemned. There a group of foul-mouthed protesters abused the office holder, insulted the office of President, and caused great public offence. Those who used these intimidatory tactics disgraced themselves and – not for the first time – discredited their cause. That the President should be regarded as a legitimate target for such a violent verbal assault, suggests the protesters have little familiarity with the Constitution, and of the limited discretionary powers and functions that the office holder enjoys.
The President has to combine different functions; primarily, to act as a ceremonial head of state and to serve as guardian of the Constitution. He is directly elected to a constitutional office – the only one who is – by the votes of a majority. And on taking office he makes a solemn promise to dedicate his "abilities to the service and welfare of the people of Ireland". President Higgins has discharged his duties with great distinction, at home and abroad. As President he can ask the Supreme Court to decide whether a bill passed by the Oireachtas complies with the Constitution. President Higgins, however, had no grounds for believing the water charges legislation to be unconstitutional. And for this he was pilloried, subjected to low personal abuse and vilified as a "traitor" by a mob of unruly protesters who sought to politicise his decision.
The right to peaceful protest is a cherished right in a democracy. But violent protest, such as we saw in Finglas last week, and last November in Jobstown – where Tánaiste Joan Burton was trapped in her car, and besieged by a howling mob – has no place. In a week that has also seen one Fine Gael backbencher report that threats were made to burn down her home, and another found her office was the subject of an arson attack, these violent developments give serious grounds for concern.