Drew Harris suggests changes to public order laws after ‘very concerning’ rise in harassment of politicians

Speaking before Friday’s Garda graduation ceremony in Templemore Training College which celebrated 157 new Gardaí joining the force, Commissioner Harris said he had concerns about incidents being reported, not only by TDs and Senators, but also county councillors.

His comments come after a bomb hoax at Taoiseach Harris’ house in Greystones, Co Wicklow earlier this week. “We’ve had a recent report in terms of protecting politicians who are in the public eye,” said Commissioner Harris.

“For every complaint we get, we mount a full investigation. We’ve brought individuals to justice. I am very concerned about incidents that happened during the recent election campaign.

“There are a number of investigations that we want to bring to fruition before the next election campaign, whenever that might be. Protest is protected, but also the dwelling. The family home is also protected in the Constitution. We want to be clear that we balance that in terms of protecting the homes of individuals, including politicians, from those instances which go beyond protest, which look like intimidation and harassment.”

Commissioner Harris indicated that some of the existing legislation may need to be refreshed, as Gardaí learn more about the tactics of those involved, and the number of incidents.

“I am not ruling out a change of legislation, but we have to very careful that that is balanced and proportionate to the threat that we see,” said Commissioner Harris. “It’s constantly under review. I’ve already asked for a change in Section 8 around the Public Order legislation, and further changes.”

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she had been reassured by the Garda Commissioner that legislation is strong enough to protect politicians.

“It’s about making sure that the Gardaí have the ability to apply that legislation as they see fit. I trust our Gardaí to respond to these types of threats in the most appropriate way.

“Any attack on any individual’s home, or their family, irrespective of who they are, is simply not acceptable. As a society we all have a role to play here in not encouraging and not condoning it.

“We absolutely have to condemn this type of behaviour, and ensure that there are repercussions at the end of day. I know that people have been arrested and have faced significant sentences for these types of actions in the recent past.”

Some 68 members of the Defence Forces either have convictions or are before the Courts. Minister McEntee said it is important that any member of the Defence Forces should not be a danger to the public.

Where a serious offence has occurred involving domestic or sexual violence, this has to be taken into account as to whether that person is fit for the role, said Minister McEntee.

“There are wonderful members working within our Defence Forces. There are thousands of men and women who go about their job in the utmost professional way and with the utmost integrity, and I want to commend those members.

“But it is so important that if you have someone in the organisation who possibly poses a threat, or that has been violent towards a partner, that they do not have a place in the Defence Forces.”

Meanwhile, work is under way to increase capacity in the Irish Prison Service. Figures show that there are 5,015 people in Irish prisons – 500 over the bed capacity.

“The prisons are under pressure at the moment,” said Minister McEntee. “Work is under way to increase capacity – this year we will have close to 200 new spaces that come on stream, and I have a plan with the Irish Prison Service to bring on stream about 1,100 between now and 2030.”

Commenting on the double tragedy in Waterford on Thursday involving the deaths of two boys on an e-scooter, the Justice Minister said: “My heart goes out to their families,” she said. “I can just imagine the devastation in that community overall. It shows the need for each and every one of us to be responsible when we’re getting behind any type of vehicle. There are very clear laws in place here. You have to be over 16.

“You can’t have another person on it. You can’t have anything other than maybe a rucksack. You can’t go over a certain speed. Gardaí are enforcing this, but I think everybody has to take care when we get behind any kind of a vehicle that has an engine or a motor behind it, because they are dangerous.”

The Minister added that she was open to raising the e-scooter driving age from 16 to 18.