There is a 'palpable sense of menace' towards politicians, warns former garda boss

Ceann Comhairle Séan Ó Fearghaíl, Task Force Chair Nóirín O’Sullivan and Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Jerry Buttimer at the launch of the Report of the Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life and the UCD Report on the findings of the Survey on the Abuse and Harassment of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and Political Staff. Picture: Maxwells

An increasingly "palpable sense of menace" is coming from a small cohort of people around political and public life, the former Garda Commissioner has said.

Noirín O'Sullivan was speaking at the launch of Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life report and the findings of a UCD survey on the abuse and harassment of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and their staff.