I WON'T PLAY 'YAY OR NAY' ON MY FUTURE

Tanaiste says situation 'deeply concerning, but 'family doing OK', McEntee: We've stayed silent on issue of threats for too long

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN in Mullingar

TANAISTE Simon Harris had to "dig deep" to show up at Fine Gael's annual think-in after multiple violent threats being made against him and his family.

The party's parliamentary meeting in Mullingar yesterday had a large Garda presence as officers continue to investigate bomb threats at Mr Harris's home in Co Wicklow.

And yesterday, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald spoke about the "unnerving experience" of a man threatening to shoot her.

Speaking at the Mullingar Park Hotel, the Tanaiste said the horrific threats are clearly being made to intimidate him out of public office.

However, he would not confirm or deny whether he is reconsidering his role due to the harassment.

He said: "I am not playing this game of yay or nay, think how anybody would feel if in the last week somebody threatened to kidnap a child, carry out extreme violence against a close family relative and blow up all your house.

"That's happened in the last seven days, to me this time and to who next time? I am not willing to gloss over that fact, I think that deserves reflection." The Fine Gael leader said that although he is still showing up to do his job, it hasn't been easy.