How online threats against Tánaiste Simon Harris escalated to bomb warnings

Simon Harris has spoken out about intimidation including bomb threats

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Tanaiste Simon Harris speaks to journalists as he arrives for a cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture date: Wednesday September 10, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Ukraine Ireland. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Tanaiste Simon Harris speaks to journalists as he arrives for a cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture date: Wednesday September 10, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Ukraine Ireland. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

An escalating series of threats made to Tánaiste Simon Harris in recent weeks went from an online threat to kidnap his children to co-ordinated bomb warnings on his Wicklow home.

Politicians say online trolling and verbal abuse now goes with the territory; dealing with it is part of the job.

Some have also had to face threats to their families with those against Harris being the latest.

It has prompted a debate about the growing security risks faced by our politicians.

But what can the Garda do, and typically who makes these threats and why?

Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Lally explains.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and Andrew McNair.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast

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