It is “only a matter of time” before a politician is attacked, People Before Profit’s Gino Kenny has said. 

TDs and Senators will be allowed to claim a €5,000 security allowance to install CCTV cameras and alarms. 

The move comes amid mounting concern for the safety of politicians; earlier in the year, Minister Anne Rabbitte said she feared for her safety when a bag of cow excrement was thrown at her during a public meeting. 

Other TDs have also spoken out about receiving death threats, sexually explicit messages and being followed home. 

“Unfortunately, I think it’s only a matter of time before somebody is seriously injured in relation to some of the stuff that’s online,” Deputy Kenny told The Hard Shoulder.  

“Particularly [those things that are said] to women. 

“Hopefully, it doesn’t happen but some of the terminology and the threats and the vitriol are extremely worrying.” 

A0M3KG Leinster House in Dublin Ireland. Image shot 2014. Exact date unknown.

Deputy Kenny said he often receives online abuse and has recently reported “serious threats” to the Gardaí. 

“Not particularly pleasant to say the least… when you’re trying to do a job, such as TD,” he said. 

“Then when family members are brought into it, it’s very unpleasant to say the least.” 

No politician in Ireland has been killed since the Troubles but across the water in Britain, MPs Jo Cox and David Amess were both killed while out and about in their constituencies. 

“It only takes one person to do something to an elected representative,” Deputy Kenny said.  

“It could happen to anybody to a certain degree but when there’s a direct threat against yourself, you have to take it serious.” 

Deputy Kenny added that other TDs have received a “lot worse” and that women in particular have been on the receiving end of “vile” abuse.

Main image: Gino Kenny.