Verbal attacks against the Catholic Church in the Dáil are inciting violent incidents targeting churches and parishioners Irish politicians have claimed, adding that the Republic of Ireland is for very many Catholics now “a cold house where they feel they have to hide their faith”.

The comments come in the wake of an arson attack on a church in Kerry and the violent disruption of a Mass at an Augustinian church in Cork.

Leader of Aontú Peadar Tóibín decried the “absolutely shocking” events, saying they don’t happen accidentally.

“There is hardly a day in Leinster House or in the media that there isn’t some kind of verbal attack or casual slur on the Catholic Church,” the Meath West TD told The Irish Catholic.

Michael Collins TD of Cork South-West described the recent attacks as “scandalous”, and that certain politicians in the Dáil are “ranting rather than talking” about the Church.

Clare TD Michael McNamara said there are regular attacks against the Church by TDs “in the name of tolerance”.

“We all need to be careful of our rhetoric. Just because you believe you are right does not make it correct to engage in vociferous condemnation,” Mr McNamara said.