Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has called on Justice Minister Helen McEntee to proceed with his bill banning protests outside private homes.
He is pushing the bill after a group of masked men draped banners on the wall of the Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman's house in west Dublin.
The Protection of Private Residences (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill seeks to “take a tougher line against extremist fringe groups who are engaging in intimidation and harassment under the guise of protest”.
The Bill would make it an offence to formally or informally organise or participate in a “targeted” protest with 200 metres of a person’s home.
'Intimidatory and disgusting'
Mr Byrne said the protest outside Mr O’Gorman’s home was "intimidatory and disgusting”.
“Gardaí could use certain legislation to try address this, but I believe my Bill would make such actions a specific offence on foot of which they could take action,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing more of these actions by thuggish groups who seem to show no respect for the Gardaí.
“The Gardaí need to take a tougher line with these individuals - their ‘softly, softly’ approach is not working, and the Minister needs to be more direct.
“These individuals do not respect the State and seem to think they can get away with anything.”
He pointed out that the State must ensure “the right to peaceful protest is respected” while respecting private residences.
Banning protests outside homes
Mr Byrne’s Bill was first introduced in the Seanad in November 2021.
The Bill was debated in the Seanad in January 2023 and Ms McEntee indicated support but asked for 12 months to consider the detail of the proposal.
Ms McEntee said Mr O’Gorman’s privacy had been “violated in a disgusting and shocking manner”.
“I’ve spoken to the Garda commissioner,” she said on X. “This cannot be tolerated.”
In early January 2024, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy all had their homes targeted by protestors.
