Man arrested in connection with threats to kill Sinn Féin leader, Garda Commissioner

Updated / Thursday, 18 Jul 2024 11:12

Crime Correspondent

Gardaí have arrested a man in south Dublin after threats to kill Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris were posted on social media.

The 28-year-old was arrested in his home in Rathfarnham this morning.

He is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be held for up to 24 hours.

The footage which was uploaded and widely circulated shows a man wearing a balaclava making menacing threats.

He said the Garda Commissioner would be attacked “before the end of the year”.

The man also threatened gardaí in Coolock.

Garda commenced a criminal investigation which involved the Special Detective Unit, the Garda Cyber Crime Unit and Security and Intelligence at Garda Headquarters.

A suspect was quickly identified and officers from the Special Detective Unit arrested him earlier this morning.

The house was also searched and evidential material including electronic devices were removed.

His social media profile, links and online activity is also being examined.

The man who is known to gardaí is being detained at a Dublin Garda Station.

The video which was originally posted on TikTok has now been taken down from that platform, but remains in circulation on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.