Threats are an attempt to 'intimidate me out of office', says Harris

An Garda Síochána (Irish police) said they are investigating the matter

The family of Ireland's Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Simon Harris, have received "sinister" online threats for a second time in one week.

The threat was made on social media on Friday, RTÉ has reported.

An Garda Síochána (Irish police) said they were investigating the matter.

Harris said "vile and horrific" threats were directed at a very close family member on a social media platform.

In a statement the Tánaiste said he has faced the "rough and tumble" of politics.

"But what I and my family have faced in recent weeks is not political debate. It is abuse. It is intimidation. It is behaviour that should never, ever be treated as normal," the statement said.

Harris said the threats are having distressing consequences on his family and that they are an attempt to intimidate him out of public office.

The statement continued: "Over the coming days and weeks, I will consult with my Fine Gael, Government and broader political colleagues about these threats and intimidation online and what action we can and should take."

Harris said he will be guided on any next steps by his family.

It is the second threat made against Harris' family in recent days, with a threat made online on Sunday against his children.

On Monday, Harris said: "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."

A woman in her 30s who was arrested and questioned about the first threat was later released without charge pending a file to Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions.