The Minister for Finance has described a protest outside the home of the Taoiseach as a “bridge too far”.

Speaking in Limerick today, Michael Noonan said people have a right to express their views but insisted the private homes of the Taoiseach or ministers should not be targeted.

“It’s a pity that the Taoiseach’s home was targetted. I think people should be free to express their views and if the expression of their views requires public protest well that’s part of democracy as well, but they shouldn’t have the protests outside the private homes of the Taoiseach or ministers and certainly that’s a bridge to far in my view.”

The incident took place last night when a group of masked protestors picketed Mr Kenny’s Castlebar home.

They were part of a Father’s Day demonstration calling for transparency in the family law courts.

A spokesperson in Enda Kenny’s constituency office said the masked demonstrators outside the Taoiseach’s home yesterday evening were not pro-life protestors, contrary to earlier reports.

The Taoiseach was not at home but his wife Fionnuala and his eldest son Ferdia were there. The protesters allegedly approached the Kenny house and rang the doorbell. The door was answered by Mr Kenny’s son, Ferdia.

In a separate incident, Mr Kenny was heckled and jeered at by a group of around 200 pro-life campaigners at the unveiling of a statue to War of Independence hero General Sean MacEoin in Longford yesterday.