Gardai investigate second threat in a week against Simon Harris's family

"Mr Harris, who is minister for foreign affairs and defence, has received threats before - including through social media and a phoned bomb threat. Protests have also been held outside his home, where his wife and children live. Asked about a fresh threat against Mr Harris's family, a spokeswoman said: "An Garda Siochana does not comment on named individuals. A Garda Siochana is currently investigating this matter.""

"Mr Harris said during the week that he would no longer maintain "a dignified silence" on the issue of threats against politicians and public representatives. He said threats against politicians had become "somewhat normalised" and it should not be accepted that the online space was "the Wild West". "When you experience direct threats to your children, to their safety, it's something I wouldn't wish on anybody in this country," he said."

Mr Harris and his family have been subjected to multiple threats, including a recent threat that led to the arrest and release of a woman from garda custody after a threat was made against his children. He has previously received threats through social media and a phoned bomb threat. Protests have taken place outside his home where his wife and children live. An Garda Siochana is investigating a fresh threat but declined to comment on named individuals. Mr Harris said he will no longer maintain "a dignified silence" about threats to politicians and warned that online abuse should not be treated as the "Wild West." He said direct threats to children must be taken extraordinarily seriously.

Read at Irish Independent