'To threaten a child is a new low'

Cross-party Cavan condemnation Harris threats

A MOTION, condemning online threats to Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family, received cross-party support at a full meeting of Cavan County Council last week.

Tabled by Fine Gael Councillor Winston Bennett, the motion called for the “condemnation of threats” to the party leader and members of his family.

Earlier this month, an online threat was made to Simon Harris’ children and followed days later by a direct threat, again made online, to a close female member of his family.

A woman was subsequently arrested and questioned but released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the matter and investigations are ongoing.

“It’s bad enough to threaten a politician,” Winston Bennett said, “but to threaten a child is a new low.

“We all want more people joining politics but when a young person reads something like this, they wouldn’t be encouraged," he said in the council chamber.

Speaking last week, Simon Harris said he had to “dig pretty deep" to show up to the Fine Gael party’s think-in.

He also said there was "a pattern of abusive, disgusting, toxic behaviour" that was trying to intimidate him out of office. Cllr Bennett’s Fine Gael colleague Trevor Smith spoke to “strongly concur” with the sentiments of the motion and added: “When families are targeted, democracy is attacked.”

Sinn Fein's Damien Brady spoke on behalf of his party when he said: “The Sinn Féin group supports calls to condemn threats to politicians’ families” continuing, “It’s easy to threaten from behind a keyboard.”

Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF) said what Simon Harris has had to put up with is “disgraceful”; while Independent Councillor Brendan Fay said this type of behaviour online “has to be stopped”.

Cllr Fay added: “The Budget is coming up and people probably won’t be happy and what then?”

Aontú’s Adrian Rogers and Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) also voiced their support for the motion.

An impassioned Cllr Walsh said: “Anyone can sit in this chair any time. People do it to serve their communities but when the likes of this goes on; a young man and his young family being threatened, I can’t blame anyone for not getting involved.”

Independent Ireland Councillor Shane P. O’Reilly “condemned outright” what happened to Tánaiste Simon Harris and referenced other attacks including one on Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness’ home.

However, the vice-chair of Ballyjamesduff MD also criticised politicians for their attacks on each other and said that for some time there has been a “race to the bottom” among politicians when there should be “honour between public representatives”.