By John Kierans

Copyright irishmirror

The targeting of Irish politicians with death threats, abuse and harassment is criminal and appalling.

It now seems we are not talking about angry keyboard warriors with two chips on their shoulders sitting at home around the country but more sinister forces from abroad.

There are a lot of countries who have big issues with us at the moment but I won’t speculate without the clear facts, however, you can easily work it out for yourself.

We are seen as too liberal and not conservative enough in some places, anti-Christian in others, far too pro-Palestine, pro-Ukraine and anti-Russian elsewhere.

There are a few world powers out there who have skin in the game in pressurising and upsetting some of our leaders.

The Gardai are, of course, all over this and they will, in time, establish who specifically masterminded the shocking threats against the Tanaiste Simon Harris and his young family.

I don’t know Simon Harris and I have never met him in my life. I do know one of his advisors pretty well and I am assured that the Fine Gael leader is a very decent human being and is trying to do his best for his country.

I might not agree with some of Simon’s recent decision-making or his policies – or some of his many public statements on various issues over the years – but I know he is a fella who, in his heart and soul, loves our country.

He is not in politics for the few quid, he does not lead a lavish lifestyle and he probably works far too hard for his own good.

I also know that he foolishly made a commitment that all the children who needed scoliosis operations would get one within months, and for various reasons outside of his control, it didn’t happen. The recent death of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, 9, sparked calls for his resignation.

Many supported the online campaign to get Simon Harris to resign over the issue but he was also subjected to shocking personal abuse which had nothing to do with the little boy’s family.

Leaving politics aside, the one thing I know is Harris is a devoted dad and the last thing he would want is to see any child dying.

He is learning fast that there is only so much you can do as a politician, especially when you are dealing with basket cases like the Irish Department of Health and HSE, which are riddled with incompetence. Just look at the scandal called the National Children’s Hospital, which is still not open despite promises galore.

But the attacks on Harris are only the tip of the political iceberg. There are online attacks on Irish politicians every day of the week and it does not matter whether they are from the left, the centre or the right.

It is happening to councillors, senators and TDs. I have spoken to a large number about it and it really is bad for their mental health.

The fact is in this so-called modern world, there are nasty people out there sitting at home with nothing better to do who want to ridicule and destroy our democratically-elected representatives.

These same people are nothing but idiots in my book and never have the balls to put their names forward for election or have the solutions to the nation’s problems.

It is time we brought in a new law called the online political death threat act with a maximum 10 years’ jail sentence for the evil perpetrators.

Such a move is not an attack on democracy but would, in my view, be a move to protect it.

I am all for free speech so long as it is not personal, threatening or vindictive and nobody should get away with threatening someone else’s life online.

Thankfully in Ireland, we have not reached the stage yet where political violence such as the brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk in America last week has become the horrific norm.

But you would worry if something urgent is not done now, such a horrendous scenario might just be around the corner.

I don’t believe that individuals have to be branded in a certain political category. I would have some views that are left-wing, others that are a bit right-wing and also some in the middle ground.

I believe the most important thing we need in our political system is common sense.

We can’t blame Simon Harris for all our political problems but we can all decide at the end of this Government’s five-year term of office whether they delivered or not.

We will all have the opportunity to kick them out if we want to.

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