'I received a death threat,' reveals Junior Minister Mary Butler

11 September 2023; Mary Butler, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People said she has been advised by gardaí not to travel anywhere alone, having also been advised to stay home as much as possible. Picture Damien Eggers

Minister for State Mary Butler has revealed she received a death threat during the summer which is being investigated by gardaí.

Ms Butler said she has been advised by gardaí not to travel anywhere alone, having also been advised to stay home as much as possible for up to three weeks following the threat.

The junior health minister said a small minority are making her life and job “very uncomfortable”, and that her office in Dungarvan is constantly monitored by gardaí.

She received the death threat by email which came through her constituency office, and was subsequently passed on to gardaí.

“The email said if I ever crossed this person’s threshold or ever came to his door, that they wouldn’t be responsible for their actions, that they were prepared to do jail and they were prepared to take my life,” she said.

She said gardaí have been unable to locate the person to date, adding that she has received security recommendations regarding her home and offices.

“I have to be always conscious of where I’m going and who is with me and that’s a sad day for me,” she said.

“I had to change the door in my Dungarvan office, it was a shop door it is now a solid door with a peephole,” she said before adding: “When I do any events, I do not advertise that I’m going to that particular event which is what I’ve been recommended.” 

 Ms Butler said her staff have also been subjected to threats and abuse, and have been advised to not be left “on their own”.

She now meets people, for the most part, online and through the phone, having been recommended to not hold clinics.

Ms Butler said she has not spoken about the incident as she does not want to be a victim, adding that other politicians have had similar threats.

Despite the threat to her life, she said 99% of the country are “very good” and no threats will distract her from her work however added: “At the moment, would I encourage my daughter Jane into politics? no, I wouldn’t.” She said the gardaí in Waterford have been extremely good to her over the last 18 months.

News of the death threat come as an “appalling” protest on Wednesday - in which 13 people were arrested - sparked concerns over security at Leinster House

Barriers blocking people 1.6km away from Leinster House may be considered for future protests as politicians fear the return of “aggressive” demonstrators for next month’s budget.

Speaking on Wlrfm, Ms Butler said some politicians in the Dáil and Seanad have given a platform to some of the “hatred and conspiracy theories”.

Ms Butler said the protest on Wednesday “reached a new level that was designed to obstruct, abuse and cause as much disruption as possible and they succeeded.” 

 She said two of her staff who entered through Kildare Street had been shouted at, being called traitors and had phones put in their faces, recording them.

The junior minister said her staff who have been working in Leinster House for a long time, were “quite shook” after arriving.

She said in addition to bottles of urine, people were being spat at. saying there was a “mob mentality”.

She said many colleagues could not attend the removal of Fianna Fáil Councillor Damien O’Reilly due to being held up.

Mr O’Reilly died suddenly at the age of 40 last weekend.