Harris ‘had to dig pretty deep’ to attend Fine Gael event after threats

Tanaiste Simon Harris said he had to “dig pretty deep” to show up at the Fine Gael annual think-in, as he refused to speculate on his political future following several recent threats against his family.

Mr Harris said he did not believe the Irish political system was taking matters of security and threats “seriously enough”.

It came after he saw “threats of appalling, unspeakable violence” against members of his family.

Speaking to reporters at the event at the Mullingar Park Hotel in Co Westmeath, he said: “In the last number of days, we have seen what can only be described as sinister and subversive threats, there’s no other way I would describe it.

“Threats towards my children, threats of appalling, unspeakable violence towards very close relatives, and yesterday, a series of co-ordinated, orchestrated threats conveyed to garda stations across the country.

“This isn’t normal. This can’t be normalised, nor can it be accepted.”

Mr Harris said he had identified “a pattern of abusive, disgusting, toxic behaviour” that was trying to intimidate him out of office.

He said he hoped that his comments may drive action in terms of “the safety and protection of people in public life”.

He warned that somebody “will get seriously hurt” if threats against politicians are not taken seriously.

In a previous statement about the threats, the Fine Gael leader said he would be “guided” by his family on next steps.

Asked if this meant he was reconsidering his future in politics, Mr Harris said: “I think we’re at a moment of inflection here.

“We have to really think as a political system – I want to talk to my Fine Gael colleagues, my government colleagues, my political opponents – about how we address these issues, because I don’t think we take them seriously enough in this country.”

He added: “And of course, I’ll talk to my family and be guided by my family because I have two jobs, the leader of Fine Gael and Tanaiste of the Government, and I’m also a member of my family – and I need to work through that.

“So look, leadership’s about showing up. I had to dig pretty deep to show up today, but I’m here, and I’m getting on with the job.”

Asked if ambiguity about his political future might signal that threats could be successful at ousting him from office, Mr Harris said: “I’m not going to play this game of kind of yay or nay.

“Just think how anybody would feel that for the last week if somebody threatens to kidnap a child and carry out extreme violence against a close family relative and blow up your house.

“That’s all happened the last seven days. To me this time, to who else the next time?

“And I’m not willing to just kind of gloss over that fact. I think that deserves reflection.”

Mr Harris added: “Somebody will get seriously hurt in this country. Somebody will get seriously hurt.

“We have to start taking security of this country seriously and that’s the point that I’m making.

“My fundamental duty – as is the fundamental duty of all of us – is the protection and wellbeing of our family, of course it is. But I’m here. I’m doing my job.”