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30th Apr 2024

‘I will not be intimidated’ – Chilling death threat painted on wall near TD’s house

Simon Kelly

Paul Murphy death threat

The incident reflects a surge in safety concerns around Irish politicans.

TD Paul Murphy has said he “will not be intimidated” after revealing that a death threat was spray-painted on a wall just a few minutes from his home.

People Before Profit TD Murphy was the target of the threat, which read “Paul Murphy RIP” ­on a wall near his house in Tallaght over the weekend.

The graffiti has since been removed and Mr Murphy said he will contact Gardaí.

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.”

The TD also experienced protestors outside of his house, where he lives with his partner and young child, last year.

Paul Murphy ‘will not be intimidated’ after death threat near home

The safety and security of politicians has come under increased scrutiny of late after another incident involving Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman recently.

The presence of masked individuals at a protest outside the minister’s family home last week was labelled ‘disgusting’ by Taoiseach Simon Harris.

During the protest, a large banner saying ‘Minister O’Gorman Hates Children’ was tied across Mr O’Gorman’s driveway, while a number of people gathered outside his home.

Paul Murphy
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy was subject to a death threat painted on a wall near his home (Rolling News)

“[I was] utterly horrified to see the situation,” said the Taoiseach about the protests.

“We all recognise the right to protest in a democracy, but when you see masked people gathering outside somebody’s family home, I think that’s extraordinarily chilling and disturbing and quite frankly, disgusting.

“I know that the gardai have to assess each of these situations. I don’t wish to interfere in that. However, I feel deeply uncomfortable that this situation was allowed to develop outside the home of any person, quite frankly, public figure or otherwise. Government or opposition.”

A similar incident happened last week when Minister for Justice Helen McEntee’s family had to be evacuated from their home after a bomb threat was made.

Ms McEntee was not at home when the threats were made by phone, however, her husband and two young children were removed from the house by Gardaí as a precaution.

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Paul Murphy