TDs receive ‘hate emails’ after gun debate

HARDCORE gun enthusiasts have subjected TDs demanding tighter firearms controls to a campaign of abuse, it emerged last night.

Fine Gael TDs John Deasy and Olivia Mitchell are among deputies receiving “hate emails”.

The emails came after they spoke out in favour of a clampdown on handgun licensing.

Mr Deasy described the emails as “downright nasty” and believes the campaign against TDs is a coordinated one.

Fine Gael frontbench spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell received abusive correspondence after appearing on RTÉ’s Questions and Answers, on which she expressed concern about the availability of the weapons.

Mr Deasy has been a leading campaigner for tighter gun control and is alarmed that the number of legally held handguns has increased six-fold since 2004, which he blames on a series of legal rulings which have loosened restrictions on the firearms.

With 1,850 licensed handguns in Ireland, Mr Deasy says his concern has seen him targeted by gun extremists.

“As a TD, you are used to fairly harsh language but this was different. I’d characterise the emails as abusive, extremely disingenuous and very personal. The handgun lobby is trying to make out that I am trying to restrict firearms generally. I’m not. This is about handguns only.

“As far as the handgun lobby is concerned, if they think that myself and some of my colleagues are going to be quietened by nasty emails, they are making a big mistake. I believe that while we are intent on keeping our police force unarmed, we shouldn’t be arming the public with handguns.

“There should be a total ban on these weapons with strict exceptions agreed upon by the gardaí.

“I don’t think these emails are representative of the target shooting club membership around the country. At least, I hope they aren’t,” he said.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy told the Dáil Public Accounts Committee last week new guidelines were needed on the issuing of handgun licenses.

“On one hand, we have to license Glock pistols, while on the other hand we are seizing Glock pistols from criminals who are going around the country utilising those things for killing individuals,” said the commissioner.