MEP Phil Prendergast has said that an assault she suffered in Cork on Wednesday was an isolated incident and is not reprensentative of the reception she has recieved while on the European elections campaign trail.

The county Tipperary MEP was walking along a street in Cork on her way to a funeral when a man approached her, shouted abuse at her and then spat in her face.

Speaking to Tipperary Mid West Radio  the MEP this morning MEP said the she sought medical attention after the incident and has reported it to the gardaí.

She also said that the incident has not put her off  campaigning in public adding that it is the first time she has encountered physical hostility.

She also said she does not believe the incident would have happened is she were male. 

Tributes are being paid to the late Labour Party Stalwart John Ryan.

Mr Ryan died yesterday at the age of 86.

He was a former member of North Tipperary County Council and went on to serve in the Senad and in Dail Eireannas a  TD to which he was elected in 1973.