Kenny condemns hate mail as a ‘new low’

The Taoiseach has led condemnations of the hoax chemical weapon sent to the home of Justice Minister Alan Shatter and the hate mail sent to his officials in the Department of Justice.

The Army bomb disposal unit had to be called to Mr Shatter’s house in the Delbrook Manor estate in the south Dublin suburb of Ballinteer yesterday morning after an envelope containing white powder was discovered.

The powder, meant to create the fear that it was an explosive or poisonous substance, was later found to be harmless baking powder, but only after causing anxiety and disruption for the under-pressure minister and his neighbours.