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TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has said the woman who threatened him online, who was sentenced to six months jail time today, violated his family.
In a victim impact statement from Harris, which was presented to the court today, but was not read out, stated that the Tánaiste thought about whether to make any statement to the court.
“On balance, I decided, with my family, that I would,” the statement read.
It went on to say that Harris and his family would rather not be doing it “but I do think it’s important that the individual before the court understands the impact of her actions against my family and against my little child”.
“I know so much of the world is online these days but I want you to know that when you hide behind your keyboard, your words still have real impact and your threats cause hurt, pain and worry and pose danger.
Imagine sitting at home to receive a message to your social media account telling you that someone wants to harm your child and vividly suggesting what should happen to them.
“Imagine that happening against a backdrop and context of a family having experienced sustained threats from other sources in the time preceding that message.
“How would you feel? To be reading that someone wants to harm your young child and threatening the most heinous and despicable of crimes.
“Do you think when you type the message and press send of the impact? Is it done with serious intent to carry out the threat? Is it done in the hope it encourages others to act?
Is it done to intimidate me out of my job knowing that the way to hurt and scare any parent is to threaten their innocent child? Or is simply done without any thought given to it and the pain and worry it causes?
Harris’s statement went on to state that in today’s world, we live in a world where threats of violence to political figures are becoming more commonplace and now it appears threats against a politician’s family are seen as “fair game too”.
“When you decided to threaten my child, you violated our family.
“I don’t know you. I don’t know anything about you. I would never wish you any ill. Sadly you didn’t afford the same respect to my family. I genuinely believe your actions endangered us and my daughter by posting a threat implying harm and the most appalling harm which I can’t even find it within myself to write the word.
“In a world where such threats can motivate others to act, I am sickened and angered by the danger you posed and the pain and hurt you have caused us. Your actions are not consequence free. They cannot be,” Harris victim impact statement concluded.
Sandra Barry (40), of Tor an Rí, Balgaddy, Co Lucan, broke down when her case was heard at Dublin District Court today.
She was sentenced to a six-month prison sentence.
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