Simon Harris Responds to Death Wish Amid Ongoing Threats

URGENT UPDATE: Tánaiste Simon Harris has publicly responded to a social media user who wished for his death, highlighting a troubling trend of online threats against him. This incident, occurring just two weeks after a woman was charged with making threats against him and his family, underscores the escalating danger faced by public figures in Ireland.

In a direct response on X, formerly Twitter, Harris confronted a nameless user who posted, “Wish I was reading it was you simple Simon was dead.” Harris fired back, stating, “I don’t know you. I don’t know anything about you. But this toxicity, this nastiness, this vile is becoming all too frequent.” His remarks reflect a growing concern over the normalization of threatening behavior in the digital space.

This surge in threats has prompted investigations by Gardaí, with notable cases emerging in recent months. On August 30, 2023, Sandra Barry, 40, from Balgaddy, Lucan in Dublin, appeared in court charged with making a threatening communication intended to cause harm. Detective Garda Richard Markey testified that the messages directed at Harris were of a “threatening nature,” indicating violence towards him and his family.

Further intensifying the situation, Patrick Grealish, 48, pleaded guilty in October to making online threats to kill or cause serious harm to Harris and his family, with the threats originating in August of last year.

This alarming pattern of threats is not limited to online messages. In May and June of last year, masked individuals, masquerading as anti-immigration protestors, gathered outside Harris’ home on two separate occasions, raising serious concerns about his safety.

In light of these threats, Harris expressed his deep distress, stating, “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.”

As the situation develops, it remains crucial for authorities to address the rising tide of online hate and threats faced by public officials. Harris’ experience highlights the urgent need for protective measures and societal accountability in combating such behavior.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.