Gardaí investigating online death threat against Drew Harris and ...
Gardaí are investigating an explicit online death threat against Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
It comes after a masked man threatened to “shoot” both of them in a video posted overnight. The Special Detective Unit — which investigates terrorism offences — is leading the investigation and is likely to arrest the suspect quickly.
The individual, who was wearing a balaclava in the video, posted it on his own named TikTok account, with contains other videos where he has no face coverings.
Gardaí do not believe the person himself poses a significant threat but are concerned at the potential impact it might have on other individuals.
The man encourages people to kill the commissioner, describing in words and motions what exactly should be done. He finishes his video by saying he will kill Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald himself “for free”.
The Irish Examiner understands the SDU is leading the investigation not because they consider it domestic terrorism but because of the person, the Garda Commissioner, being threatened. The same applies in relation to Ms McDonald.
Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins DublinThe suspect, aged in his late 20s and from west Dublin, is not considered a known far-right agitator, but is known to local gardaí and is also thought to be suffering from drug addiction.
It is understood Garda HQ is trying to get the original video taken down, although this can take some time.
The threat, and its violent nature, and the call for others to inflict the violence on the commissioner, is considered a various serious matter within Garda HQ and Government.
In a post on X, the Sinn Féin leader said: "Last night a threat to kill me was issued online. The individual said he would shoot me dead.
“This represents an escalation of targeted online abuse directed at me over the last year. It is totally unacceptable.”
Last night a threat to kill me was issued online. The individual said he would shoot me dead.
This represents an escalation of targeted online abuse directed at me over the last year. It is totally unacceptable.
I have reported this to An Garda Síochána.
Ironically, this…
Ms McDonald said she has reported the incident to gardaí, adding that "ironically" the threat was made while she was "hosting a discussion on the need for zero tolerance when it comes to violence against women and girls”.
Speaking about the video, a security source said: “There is a doubt about his capacity to do anything, but it has to be taken seriously, given it’s a threat to the commissioner.”
The individual starts by praising the actions of those engaged in violent disorder in Coolock on Monday, saying he and others will help them.
The video was shared by a number of accounts on X, formerly Twitter, and viewed 37,000 times across just two accounts.
Sources explained that if the video is recorded and shared on social media platforms there is not much that can be done. If the videos are a direct link to the original video, the take down can remove it.
A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner: "An Garda Síochána is aware of footage posted to social media on Tuesday, 16th July 2024. An Garda Síochána is investigating this matter."
