Bomb threat issued to Justice Minister Helen McEntee's home
Justice Minister Helen McEntee
The Minister was not at home when the threat was called in, but her family were evacuated.
A major investigation's underway after a bomb-threat at the home of the Justice Minister forced the evacuation of her family.
Helen McEntee was not at home when the threats were made in two late-night phone calls during the week - but Gardaí felt it necessary to move her husband and young family to safety - as a precaution.
The call is believed to have been made by a man in the Cork area. No explosives were found at the address and it is understood no code word was used during the call. Code words have historically been used by dissidents when planting explosive devices.
An Garda Síochana have said they will not be commenting on matters relating to an ongoing investigation.
Politicians have been coming out to show support for Minister McEntee following the news breaking.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has said it is "absolutely shocking"
Speaking today (Saturday) at his parties Ard Fheis in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Deputy Tóibín said: "It's absolutely incredible to think that a democratically elected minister would be in receipt of bomb threats in this day and age. This is a threat, first of all, to a mother, second of all, to a democratically elected minister. But it's also a threat to the democratic system that we have in this country."
Labour's Aodhán O'Riordáin says the bomb threat that caused the evacuation of the Justice Minister's family from their home is 'a new low in politics'. He added: "I have to say I've been doing this for about 20 years... what I'm coming across at the moment is unprecedented levels of anger, violent language, abuse, which is making a lot of political parties finding it difficult to find candidates."
