‘Sinister’ death threat for TD

Gardaí are investigating a death threat which was made against a Fine Gael TD.

Roscommon deputy Frank Feighan has been subjected to a stream of personal abuse since the Government broke an election vow regarding the status of a local hospital.

However, he described the latest threat — delivered in a handwritten note — as particularly “sinister”.

Mr Feighan revealed on Twitter that the person who wrote the letter said they knew where he lived. It also said: “I know the time you leave the house and I see you coming home. You will get a bullet before long you gay bastered RIP” [sic].

The TD expressed dismay that the campaign of threats was continuing against him, despite the fact that he has announced he will not stand again in the general election.

The letter appears to be the latest in a rising pattern of abuse directed against government TDs by people unhappy with policy decisions taken by the Coalition.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly revealed earlier this month that he had been warned by gardaí that dissident republicans had threatened to attack him, his family, and staff members.

Labour senator Lorraine Higgins has also been subjected to death threats on social media, with one message stating her “rat’s mouth” should be filled with lead.

Ms Higgins is keen to bring in new legislation to deal with cases of online bullying which she says are becoming more widespread.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has expressed alarm at the rise in threats being made on social media, and has stated that there needs to be a distinction made between freedom of speech and criminality.