Mick Clifford: Simon Harris threats highlight toxic abuse of politicians on social media

While politicians are generally subjected to the worst of abuse, women across public life are targeted in a more hateful way than men

Tánaiste Simon Harris has describee toxicity in public discourse as 'off the Richter scale.'

Last weekend, threats were made on social media to the children of Tánaiste Simon Harris. The messages warned that his children would be kidnapped and violence done against them.

On Monday news of the threats broke in the media. A woman was arrested and questioned about it. She was later released and a file sent to the DPP.