Threat Against Irish Politician Simon Harris

Gardaí are currently investigating a serious threat made against Taoiseach Simon Harris and his family, which was posted on Instagram over the weekend. The alarming message, which referenced knives, has raised significant concerns about the safety of public officials in Ireland. In response to the threat, Mr. Harris has expressed his determination to continue his duties, emphasizing that online threats are subject to the same legal repercussions as those made offline. In a statement, Mr. Harris condemned the normalization of threats against politicians, stating, "There can be no hiding place for anyone seeking to threaten, attack or harm people." He highlighted the increasing frequency of such incidents, noting that it is becoming disturbingly common for politicians to be targeted. The Taoiseach firmly asserted that this behavior is unacceptable and must be addressed. This incident follows a series of troubling events, including a recent attack where a van was driven into the gates of the Department of the Taoiseach. Additionally, a hoax bomb threat was made at Mr. Harris's family home in County Wicklow just six weeks prior. The situation has escalated, with groups gathering outside the homes of Mr. Harris and other prominent politicians, some of whom were reportedly wearing masks and displaying anti-immigration banners. In light of these events, Mr. Harris reiterated his stance from May, asserting that the homes and families of public officials should remain off-limits to threats and harassment.