Threat to democracy: Conspiracy groups 'becoming increasingly more extreme'

Roderic O'Gorman's fellow minister Helen McEntee said his privacy and property had been 'violated in a disgusting manner' after masked men unfurled defamatory banners at his home. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

Far-right agitators and conspiracy groups are becoming “increasingly more extreme” and experts fear their intimidation and violence could get “far worse” if authorities do not intervene.

The warning comes after a group of up to 12 mainly masked people — predominantly men — gathered outside the home of Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman in west Dublin and defaced the front of his property with huge defamatory banners.

Gardaí were called to the scene and, as captured in phone recording that circulated online, observed the masked group, but did not carry out any arrests.

Mr O’Gorman said threats to politicians will “undermine” the tradition of respectful debate in Irish democracy.

“If we were to lose those, we would lose something very dear, and not easily recovered,” he said.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was “utterly horrified” by the incident and described it as “extremely chilling”.

He said he accepted gardaí had to assess each situation and did not want to interfere with operational policing, but added he was “deeply uncomfortable” with how such a scenario was allowed to develop.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said Roderic O’Gorman’s privacy and property had been “violated in a disgusting manner”.

Aoife Gallagher of the  Institute for Strategic Dialogue warned that 'those willing to engage in violence and intimidation will become more emboldened'. 

"Politicians across the political spectrum and not just in Ireland are facing increasing levels of personal intrusion and abuse," she said. 

"The scene outside Minister O’Gorman’s home were vile and disgusting. 

"I think it’s fair to say if you’re standing outside a politician’s home in a balaclava, you’re not there to debate policy or politics - you’re there to intimidate and that is unacceptable. 

"Regardless of who you are, what your disposition or occupation is, you are likely to find that uncomfortable and possibly threatening. 

"I don’t think that’s consistent with Irish values and it’s certainly not consistent with the principles of the democracy we have in this country.

"Citizens have a right to protest, but public representatives must be able to go about their business free from abuse and intimidation."

Last night, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the use of posters outside homes could constitute harassment.

In an internal guidance note, Mr Harris reminded gardaí of their powers and said the wearing of balaclavas has “potentially sinister overtures”. Mr Harris said members of An Garda Síochána should have "regard to the impact of the protester’s actions and behaviours on householders, their families and other occupants, including neighbours and most especially in respect of particularly vulnerable persons".

Garda sources told the Irish Examiner they can only arrest people where there is a “defined” criminal offence.

They said new powers being introduced in Britain — allowing police to arrest protesters who wear face coverings to threaten others and avoid prosecution — were not available to gardaí here.

There were fears that tensions would rise further yesterday evening as far-right groups planned a protest outside the International Protection Office on Mount St in Dublin city centre, where homeless asylum seekers are sleeping in tents.

However, Gardaí told the Irish Examiner earlier yesterday that they had a policing plan in place, including a physical presence.

Aoife Gallagher, senior analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, accused the gardaí of adopting a “soft-touch approach”.

She said this meant the tactics being used by these groups were becoming “increasingly more violent”.

“Unless something changes, the direction of travel is only becoming more clear,” said Ms Gallagher. 

Those who are willing to engage in violence and intimidation will become more emboldened and continue to act with impunity. 

John O’Brennan, professor of European politics at Maynooth University, said it was time for gardaí “to step in decisively”.

“This will get far worse if the authorities present a pattern of failing to intervene,” he said.

John Morrison, assistant professor in criminology at Maynooth University, said: “The aim of these actors is to promote conspiracy theories in order to deteriorate trust in public figures. There is potential for this form of behaviour to escalate.”

Ruth McCourt of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties said: “Threats and intimidation against politicians have been increasing, and images of individuals placing threatening and abusive banners on a private home while gardaí were present raises serious questions for An Garda Síochána.”