Kelly death threats: Tormentors must be found

Revelations over the weekend by Environment Minister Alan Kelly that he, his family and his staff have been subjected to death threats by dissident republicans should be profoundly shocking. 

Yet, given the aggressive intimidation and sometimes ugly violence we have seen to date in the water charges fiasco, there is the danger Mr Kelly’s comments could be a one-day wonder.

We should be vigilant to ensure it is no such thing, and the Minister for Justice and gardaí must do everything possible to guarantee it is not. Whatever needs to be done to track down and prosecute these so-called dissident republicans – who are really opportunistic criminal thugs – should be done.