The individual told her he would shoot her dead.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has reported a “blatant and blunt” threat to her life to gardaí.
The Dublin Central TD described on X how the threat was issued, with the individual declaring that he would “shoot her dead”.
Ms McDonald claimed that this most recent threat represented an escalation of abuse directed at her.
Last night a threat to kill me was issued online. The individual said he would shoot me dead.
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 17, 2024
This represents an escalation of targeted online abuse directed at me over the last year. It is totally unacceptable.
I have reported this to An Garda Síochána.
Ironically, this…
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald reports death threat to gardaí
She added that while she was “all for freedom of expression” and does not believe in censorship, she “does not accept and will not accept a threat against my life or anybody else’s”.
Earlier this year, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy had a death threat spray-painted on a wall just a few minutes from his home.
The incident reflected a surge in safety concerns around Irish politicans.
In a post on social media, Mr Murphy said: “On Saturday night, this was painted 5 minutes walk from my house”, showing a picture of the graffiti.
“I will not be intimidated,” he continued. “I will continue to oppose those who try to divide ordinary people and spread hate.
“We need to unite against those who are actually responsible for housing, health and climate crises.”
Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One earlier this afternoon, Ms McDonald said: “It is utterly unacceptable, and it is sinister, and I have reported the matter to An Garda Síochána and I expect them to deal with it appropriately.
“There has been a trend for the last year or more, a very organised section of people online, to have a run at Sinn Féin and at me in particular,” she added.
“I think the objective of the exercise has been to cast doubt or to alienate or disrupt the relationship between myself and Sinn Féin and those that would support us, rely on us to represent them and represent them well.
“It’s been pretty relentless,” the Leader of the Opposition continued. “If you visit any of my social media platforms you would see that. But last night that escalated to a threat to take my life and I’m shocked by it, to be honest.
“The same individual made a threat against a senior member of An Garda Síochána and may I say that is completely unacceptable and I expect that matter will be dealt with as well.”
Read more:
- ‘I will not be intimidated’ – Chilling death threat painted on wall near TD’s house
- Leo Varadkar announces he will not stand in next general election
- Eamon Ryan flying back from a climate summit in Dubai for Helen McEntee confidence vote
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