SF leader McDonald reports ‘blatant’ death threat to Gardaí

Updated / Wednesday, 17 Jul 2024 14:52

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has condemned a “blatant and blunt” threat on her life.

It comes after she said on social media site X that she had reported receiving a death threat online to gardaí.

The threat was made while she was hosting a discussion on the need for zero tolerance when it comes to violence against women.

Posting on the platform, the Dublin Central TD said the individual told her he would shoot her dead.

The threat was made in a video posted on social media, in which a man also issues threats to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

“This threat was made to take my life, it was as blatant and blunt as that,” Ms McDonald told RTÉ’s News at One programme.

Ms McDonald said the threat represented “an escalation on what has been a really relentless campaign over the last 12 months or so of abuse of misogynistic – sometimes a racist nature – really piled on against me in a really concentrated and coordinated way.”

Ms McDonald said she was “all for freedom of expression” and she does not believe in censorship, but “she does not accept and will not accept a threat against my life or anybody else’s”.

“It is utterly unacceptable, and it is sinister, and I have reported the matter to An Garda Síochána and I expect them to deal with it appropriately,” Ms McDonald said.

She added: “There has been a trend for the last year or more, a very organised section of people online, to

“I think the objective of the exercise has been to cast doubt or to alienate or disrupt the relationship between myself and Sinn Féin and those that would support us, rely on us to represent them and represent them well.

“It’s been pretty relentless. If you visit any of my social media platforms you would see that. But last night that escalated to a threat to take my life and I’m shocked by it, to be honest,” the Sinn Féin leader said.

“The same individual made a threat against a senior member of An Garda Síochána and may I say that is completely unacceptable and I expect that matter will be dealt with as well.”

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee condemned the threat.

In a post on X, she said: “Threats of any nature should never be tolerated in our democracy. It is right and proper she has reported this to An Garda Síochána, who will deal with it appropriately.”

In a statement, An Garda Síochána said it is “aware of footage posted to social media on Tuesday, 16 July 2024. An Garda Síochána is investigating this matter.”