'Utterly despicable': Taoiseach condemns alleged bomb threat against home of Helen McEntee

Justice Minister Helen McEntee speaking to the media before a cabinet meeting at Government buildings. Photo: Damien Storan

The Taoiseach has hit out at an "utterly despicable" alleged bomb threat made against the home of the Justice Minister.

Helen McEntee's home in Meath was believed to have been the target of a phone threat.

Mr Harris said he had not spoken to the minister but that it is horrific to see a threat on anyone's home.

"My colleague and friend Helen McEntee works hard every day in the interest of the people of this country and herself and her family are entitled to safety in their own home and everywhere else," Mr Harris said on Sunday evening.

On whether he anticipates a rise in such threats as we get closer to a general election, he said the overwhelming majority of people in Ireland are decent and respect democracy and the institutions of the State.

"However, there is a small but growing group of people who seek to undermine that. That threat is real and I am quite clear that it is real," Mr Harris said.

He said he has every confidence in An Garda Síochána to keep people safe.

No matter what a person's political persuasion or role within the government, this sort of behaviour is utterly despicable and should be roundly condemned, Mr Harris said.

A garda spokesperson stated: "An Garda Síochána does not comment on security details relating to individual State officials or Government ministers.

"Gardaí are investigating a potential threat against an elected representative in the east of the country."