Micheál Martin: Lone-wolf attack is gardaí’s biggest concern when protecting politicians

A so-called lone-wolf attack is the ultimate fear of gardaí protecting elected representatives, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

He said several death threats had been issued against politicians in this country, in the past and in recent times.

“In some instances, some may relate to mental health issues, in terms of some individuals who may have had difficulties in their lives, the gardaí will find that out and will relay that back to you, and that’s the end of the matter and you never hear about it again, and that’s okay, too.

“What the gardaí have said consistently, the ultimate fear is what is termed a lone-wolf attack, which can come from any situation at any time,” he said.

Mr Martin said he and senior ministers had excellent security, and he thanked the gardaí who guard his home and protect him.

He added that there was grave concern at the threats made recently against Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family.

“But the wider issue of the aggression in public discourse, the absence of space to discuss things, is to me a concern, and the aggression towards people in society because of their ethnicity, race, or religion is increasing and is a big worry.”

He said there was a need to address that targeted aggression in a sensible, intelligent, and strategic way.

“Tolerance, welcome, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental tenets of our society, and there’s a challenge to that now, there’s no point saying that we are not,” the Taoiseach said.

“We’re witnessing it in other countries. To me, it could become the key issue of our time.”

Mr Martin said there was “no question” that there was a need for representatives to moderate their language in relation to those they oppose politically.

“We wish the rest of the world has been in this earlier in respect to the genocide in Gaza, but if you ask the Palestinian Authority or you ask people across the globe, they will say Ireland has taken a principled humanitarian stance on the Palestinian question and on the Middle East and promoting a two-state solution.

“And yet, if you were to listen to some of the attacks in the Dáil over the last year, you’d be forgiven for thinking that we were anti a two-state solution and anti-Palestinian self-determination, and pro the genocide,” he said.

“That’s just one example, so all of us need to listen better to each other.

“Women politicians have taken perhaps an increased level of negative and hostile commentary, not just in relation to politics, and they’ve been targeted in that regard, and that’s reprehensible.”

Mr Martin said public representatives needed to be conscious of their mental health, adding that pressures were much more severe today than they were when he had started out in public life.

“And I think social media is a significant factor in that, and also the nature of the discourse.

“However, one of the great strengths of Irish politics is the accessibility of public representatives. It’s a strength for us because it keeps our feet on the ground. It keeps us in touch, whether through clinics or just walking the streets and meeting people, that’s very, very important.

“I think it’s a cherished value of our party-political system that we should do everything we possibly can to retain,” the Taoiseach said.

“Having said all of that, the vast, vast majority of Irish people are very, very courteous, warm, and engaging.

“This is a minority, but it’s a more aggressive minority than we’ve experienced in the past.”