Man arrested over alleged harassment of Taoiseach Simon Harris

Taoiseach previously condemned the demonstrations outside his home in May as a ‘form of thuggery’

Taoiseach Simon Harris. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
Taoiseach Simon Harris. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni

A man has been arrested in connection with a demonstration outside the family home of Taoiseach Simon Harris.

On May 2nd, anti-immigration protesters staged a demonstration outside Mr Harris’s home in Greystones, Co Wicklow, and gathered around a banner saying ‘South Dublin says no, close the border’.

The man was arrested on Tuesday and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Last month a woman was arrested in connection with the same incident. A file is being prepared for the DPP too in that incident.

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Speaking recently on Ryan Tubridy’s Bookshelf podcast about the incident, Mr Harris said: “I kind of bristle at the word protest or protestor, because I think it does a disservice to actual protest.

“I think it is a form of thuggery. I think it is a form of intimidation. I think it is a form of harassment.

“I think it is done to unsettle and unnerve people. I think it’s done by people to let you know they know where you live.”

Mr Harris ruled out a move to a State residence, such as Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park, the Taoiseach said it would be too disruptive for his children’s lives.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times