Táiniste Simon Harris has this evening (Saturday, Sept 6) issued a statement relating to recent threats to him and his family on social media.
The threats, which were made online, caused Mr Harris to take the unusual step of speaking out about such events and taking to social media this evening, Minister Harris said he will be consulting with members of the Fine Gael party and wider government on the next steps to take after these direct threats to both himself and his family.
Simon Harris added that ‘There is a clear and sinister pattern and a very apparent motivation, to intimidate me out of public office’.
Last weekend Simon Harris spoke in public about the threats saying ‘This weekend, I received direct threats targeting my family. As a father, I have very strong views and feelings on this, as you can imagine.
‘As a political leader, I find it unacceptable in every way.’
‘Let me be clear: threatening people – any person – is a crime. Threatening children is despicable.
‘It is cowardice, and it is a line that no decent society should tolerate being crossed’.
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Gardai have arrested and questioned a woman in her 30’s in connection with the threats made against Minister Harris, but she has since been released without charge.
The investigation into intimidation and threats to Mr Harris, his wife, and two young children is being conducted by gardaí from Wicklow and specialist units, including the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and the Special Detective Unit.
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Yesterday Simon Harris said the support he received this week ‘means a lot’ after the threat was made to him and his family earlier this week.
The threat was posted on social media last Sunday morning.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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