Assassination attempt puts security for politicians back in spotlight
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The issue of security for politicians is back in the spotlight, following the attempted assassination of former US president Donald Trump.
Less than three weeks after a hoax bomb threat at the Taoiseach's home, discussion has once again turned to whether there are adequate measures in place to keep politicians in Ireland safe.
There is no indication as of yet that any new measures will be brought in within the foreseeable future, but shockwaves felt from the weekend's events in Pennsylvania.
A spokesperson from Simon Harris' office said that gardaí have measures in place for the security and protection of the Taoiseach.
For security reasons, they did not go into specific detail on measures.
The Department of Justice said that gardaí also keep measures to protect certain office holders or other public figures under constant review.
There appears to be a worrying trend of increasingly violent attacks on politicians in recent years, with the Slovakian prime minister shot and badly injured earlier this year.
In Britain, MP David Amess was fatally stabbed at a constituency surgery in 2021, while Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed on the street in her local village in 2016.
In recent months in Ireland, there have been a number of high-profile incidents of harassment and intimidation including another hoax bomb threat, this time at the home of Justice Minister Helen McEntee and a mock gallows erected outside Leinster House with photographs of politicians.
A taskforce on safe participation in political life was established with a view to determining what measures need to be introduced to ensure politicians can go about their work safely.
The taskforce, which was chaired by former Garda commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan, said that a "strategic and coordinated approach is needed" to tackle the serious impact that harassment and abuse can have on the individual targeted.
In May, Ms O'Sullivan said she had been informed by the Department of Justice that there will be new laws coming into play.
Among the taskforce's recommendations were a strengthening of security arrangements at the Houses of the Oireachtas — something which was highlighted after a Leinster House usher was suspended earlier this month after allegedly posting far-right and anti-immigrant content online.
Responding to this incident, Mr Harris suggested the chairpersons of each party engage with Oireachtas officials to discuss wider issues around security.
Social media has also been a focus of conversations around security, and there has been a call for the establishment of an opt-in social media monitoring service for TDs and senators to monitor and report online threats and harassment made against them.
The taskforce cited concerns that unless the abuse of those working in politics is addressed it has the potential to "undermine democracy".