Simon Harris has vowed not to be “deterred from doing my job as Taoiseach”. 

The intervention follows reports that Gardaí are investigating a threat made against him and his family on Instagram over the weekend. 

In a statement this afternoon, Mr Harris said he does not routinely comment on matters pertaining to his family or security but felt compelled to do so due to the “trends” emerging within society. 

“There can be no hiding place for anyone seeking to threaten, attack or harm people or to incite others to do so,” he said. 

“Politicians have become a regular target, and it is on the brink of being viewed as acceptable or a normal part of the job. 

“It is not acceptable. I get up every day and go to work and work as hard as I can - so do most politicians I know from all parties and none. 

“Constant efforts to target us, demean us or dehumanise us should never be accepted, never be normalised, and always called out.”

Mr Harris also praised An Garda Síochána doing “us proud every day in their work” and thanked the Irish people “for their kindness and decency - it means the world to me and my family.” 

Earlier this month, a man was arrested in connection to an online death threat posted against Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald. 

Main image: Taoiseach Simon Harris outside Government Buildings. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews