The Justice Minister's being urged to support a bill to ban protests outside the private homes of politicians.

Fianna Fáil’s Senator Malcolm Byrne has brought a bill before the Seanad on the matter and believes Helen McEntee needs to take a tougher line on the matter.

It follows recent demonstrations outside the homes of the Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister Roderic O'Gorman and TD James Lawless.

“This isn’t just about politicians because we’ve seen journalists, we’ve also seen medical professionals targeted at their own private homes,” Senator Byrne said.

“You’re talking about families, you’re talking about people’s neighbours. 

“So, what the legislation that is now moving to the next stage of the Seanad does is it provides a specific offence for engaging in targeted protesting outside an individual’s home.” 

Protests and 'personal freedoms'

Senator Byrne said he disagreed that the legislation would impinge on any citizen’s right to protest. 

“The right to peaceful protest is very important and we should always defend and protect that,” he said. 

“But unfortunately what we have seen are a number of incidents - and they’re not protests - they’re efforts to intimidate and harass. 

“They’re targeted at individuals in their family homes.” 

Among the Cabinet, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has previously indicated he thinks legislation to ban protests outside politicians’ homes is worth considering.

Main image: Leinster House.