Gardaí have arrested a woman in Dublin over online threats made against the Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family.
The woman, who is in her 30s, was arrested by gardaí who are investigating threats made on social media over the weekend and which explicitly mentioned Mr Harris’ children.
In a statement on Tuesday night, An Garda Síochána said, “Gardaí investigating recent online threats against an elected representative have arrested a woman in her 30s today, Tuesday 2nd September 2025.
“The woman is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
An Garda Síochána is not providing any further information at this time.”
She has since been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
On Monday, the Fine Gael leader, who lives in Co Wicklow, said the threats were “despicable” and could not be tolerated.
The Tánaiste has previously been at the receiving end of threats, including on social media and a bomb threat, as well as protests outside his home by far-right anti-immigrant agitators.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Harris said: “This weekend, I received direct threats targeting my family.
“As a father, I have very strong views and feelings on this as you can imagine. As a political leader, I find it unacceptable in every way.
“Let me be clear: threatening people — any person — is a crime. Threatening children is despicable. It is cowardice and it is a line that no decent society should tolerate being crossed.”
The Tánaiste said he would not be commenting further as the garda investigation is ongoing.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that not only were the threats unacceptable but represented a threat to the democratic State.
I condemn unreservedly the abhorrent threats made to Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family. Such threats to people in public life are unacceptable.
“They are a fundamental threat to our democracy.”
The garda investigation is being led by detectives in Wicklow, but they are receiving the assistance of the Special Detective Unit (SDU) and the Garda National Crime Cyber Bureau.
The SDU is the operational arm of the Garda Security and Intelligence Service and has been involved in assisting or leading previous investigations into violent threats against Government minister and senior politicians.