Amid arrests at protests and a bomb threat at the Justice Minister’s home, there is now a fear among politicians “someone is going to die”. 

The Daily Mail reported this morning there was a bomb threat at Helen McEntee’s home this week, resulting in her husband and two young children evacuating while Ms McEntee was in Dublin. 

This follows news Gardaí arrested six people at a protest on Wednesday night at a site earmarked for asylum seekers in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow. 

Daily Mail Group Ireland Executive Editor John Lee told The Anton Savage Show the bomb threat reflects growing fear of fringe groups in Ireland. 

“It illustrates an extraordinary escalation in in the conduct of certain members of the public towards politicians,” he said. 

“There's been quite a number of these court cases in recent years which is not something I certainly recall when I started as political journalist happening with any regularity. 

Protestors outside a proposed site for asylum seekers in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Mr Lee also noted this is the second bomb scare at Ms McEntee’s home, bringing “terror” to the young family. 

He said arguments that politicians in the public sphere are “opening themselves up” for criticism and threats no longer apply. 

“Laws are being broken, people are going to court, being convicted and jailed for their activities towards politicians,” he said. 

“It’s an absolute heightened level of conduct, to say the least. 

“There is a fear now, and I'm not being over the top in saying this, amongst politicians that some someone's going to die.” 

It may seem like an outrageous suggestion, Mr Lee said, but he pointed out such tragedy has already happened across the water in the UK with the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox by a member of the far-right. 

Lines crossed 'well in the distance'

Labour Justice Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said he recalls “pretty toxic protests” a decade ago amid the Irish Water charges controversy, including an instance where former Tánaiste Joan Burton was effectively trapped in her car by protestors. 

“Lines were crossed at that time,” he said. “Now those lines are well in the distance. 

“We have a ratcheting up of political anger and rhetoric, particularly in relation to the immigration debate, which is leading to the dehumanisation of politicians.” 

He said political leaders, particularly those at a local level, must not “pander” to this rhetoric and “heighten tensions”.