Tanaiste Simon Harris Stands Firm In The Face Of Repeated 'Sinister' Threats

Simon Harris speaks out against threats as clear attempts to ‘intimidate’ him out of public office

A third set of threats, inside a week have been made against Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family to several Garda stations in both Wicklow and Wexford.

Senior gardaí are investigating a number of calls purporting to claim that there was a bomb at his home in Greystones.

The Fine Gael leader and his family were not present at home at the time but were advised by officers not to return to the property until security checks were made.

Nothing was subsequently found and detectives believe the phone calls were part of an elaborate hoax. It is suspected the threats were arranged between a group of people using the messaging app Telegram.

Last Friday, a direct threat was made online to a close member of his family while last week another online threat was made to his children.

In a statement, Mr Harris said these threats are a ‘clear and sinister pattern’ to ‘intimidate’ him out of public office.

He said: ‘Sixteen years ago, I was first elected to public office. Serving my community and my country has been the greatest honour of my life. I have devoted myself to public service.

‘I have faced the rough and tumble of politics. I believe in robust debate, scrutiny and challenge. It is a cornerstone of our democracy.’

He spoke out against attempts to intimidate him:

‘What I and my family have faced in recent weeks is not political debate. It is abuse. It is intimidation. It is behaviour that should never, ever be treated as normal. And no one is to blame except those choosing to abuse and make threats.’

Mr Harris described the threats as having ‘deeply distressing consequences’ for his family.

He said: ‘Last week, direct threats were made against my children. And now, this weekend, late [Friday] night, vile and horrific threats were directed at a very close family member.

‘There is a clear and sinister pattern and a very apparent motivation; to intimidate me out of public office.’

The Tánaiste added that he ‘knows we are meant to keep silent. I know for some it seems like a new reality that those in public life must accept. But I cannot’. He warned: ‘It is me today but it will be someone else tomorrow.

‘I will consult with my Fine Gael, Government and broader political colleagues about these threats and intimidation online and what action we can take. ‘Someone has to call a halt. Protecting my family will remain my number one priority. I will be guided by them on the next steps.’

Last week gardaí confirmed an investigation is under way into the first of the online threats which is being conducted by the Wicklow division along with specialist units, including the National Cyber Crime Bureau and the Special Detective Unit.

A woman was arrested for questioning and was released without charge pending further Garda investigations. The Tánaiste has been subjected to threats previously and has had protesters turn up outside his family home. Last year a man in his 50s was arrested over online threats to Mr Harris.

Mr Harris was due to attend the Fine Gael “think-in” in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, over the next two days.

The weekend threat was not expected to impact his plan to attend the event, where the upcoming budget, the first for the current Government, was set to be the main focus.

Though the Dublin-based woman, arrested last Tuesday for the online threat to kidnap Mr Harris’s children, was released without charge, the investigation into that incident is continuing.

Gardaí are now concerned the publicity generated by the incidents of the last week will give rise to copycat threats and are fearful they may escalate to in-person incidents.