LAST UPDATE | 3 Sep

A WOMAN ARRESTED yesterday over a serious threat made online against Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family has been released without charge.

A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and investigations remain ongoing, gardaí said.

Gardaí were alerted on Sunday to a specific and detailed threat that it is understood to have been posted on a popular social media platform.

It is understood detectives arrested the woman in her 30s in west Dublin – she was detained at Ronanstown Garda Station where she was questioned.  

A garda spokeswoman yesterday said: “Gardaí investigating recent online threats against an elected representative have arrested a woman in her 30s today.

“The woman is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.” 

As part of the investigation, detectives liaised with the social media platform the threat was made on, which has offices in Dublin.

In a statement released on Sunday, Harris said: “This weekend, I received direct threats targeting my family. As a father, I have very strong views and feelings on this as you can imagine. As a political leader, I find it unacceptable in every way.

“Let me be clear: threatening people—any person – is a crime. Threatening children is despicable. It is cowardice. And it is a line that no decent society should tolerate being crossed.” 

The Special Detective Unit (SDU), which is the State’s counter terror specialists, has been involved in the probe, alongside the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.

Sources have said that the SDU detectives involved in the investigation were drawn from a team that targets far right extremism.

Harris, who is also Minister for Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, has already been at the centre of significant security concerns. Protests have been held at his home in County Wicklow and there has been a large amount of online threats published on various online platforms. 

Harris travels with a significant garda protection detail. As revealed by The Journal his home has a 24 hour armed post and threats are closely monitored by State intelligence services. His detail is at a similar level to a sitting Taoiseach.