‘It was bedtime for my kids’ – Simon Harris criticises protesters who targeted his family home last night

Days after Mr Harris criticised protests outside politicians’ homes as “downright thuggery”, a group carrying anti-immigration banners gathered outside his house.

The Taoiseach lives with his wife and two small children in a housing estate in the Greystones area of Co Wicklow.

More than a dozen people were part of a group holding banners with slogans including ‘close the borders’, ‘house the Irish first’ and ‘Eire will no longer run by EU puppets’.

Images of the demonstrators outside the Taoiseach’s house were posted on social media but their faces were blurred.

Speaking in Belfast today, Mr Harris said he wouldn’t describe “those sorts of things as protest”.

"I have a very clear view in relation to this whether it's me, whether it's an opposition politician, whether it's, it's quite frankly, anybody. I always think people's families and people's homes should be out of bounds.

"It was bedtime for my kids last night when this situation arose. I don't think it's appropriate."

An Garda Síochána attended the scene and the group left after a short time.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill who welcomed Mr Harris to Stormont today said the incident was “totally inappropriate”.

"The Taoiseach has two young kids and I think your home should be your sanctity and I don’t think there should be any tolerance for that type of attack on someone’s home,” she said.

Last weekend Mr Harris condemned protesters for targeting TDs’ private homes. He said “too often” politicians were being targeted by “angry mobs” and have been left fearing for their families.

“We know how this story ends. We have had too many warnings, and we need to take them seriously before the unthinkable happens,” he said.

A recent protest outside Equality ­Minister Roderic O’Gorman’s home was branded “disgraceful” and “chilling” due to the presence of masked men.

Gardaí are also investigating a third call threatening the security of Justice Minister Helen McEntee that was made on Saturday. The threat follows two that were made last Wednesday which prompted the evacuation of Ms McEntee’s home.

And this week the Irish Independent reported a death threat to People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy was spray-painted on a wall only minutes away from his home.

The words “Paul Murphy RIP” ­appeared on a wall near his house in Tallaght over the weekend.

The graffiti has since been removed and Mr Murphy said he will be contacting gardaí.

He spoke of his frustration that people on the far right intimidate politicians with abuse and “threatening behaviour”.

Last night’s protest is at least the third time Mr Harris’ home has been the focus of protesters.

In 2019, he said that he believed those involved in a protest had followed his wife and young baby in a bid to identify his house.

Mr Harris is in Belfast today on his first official visit to Northern Ireland as Taoiseach. He has met with Ms O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Speaking following a meeting at Stormont Castle, Mr Harris said: “It has been a really good engagement.

“I was eager to get here in the early stages of my tenure as Taoiseach because we now have institutions back up and running in the north.

“I am very grateful to the First Minister (Michelle O’Neill) and deputy First Minister (Emma Little-Pengelly) for the incredible leadership they are showing in the political environment in terms of trying to deliver for people and I’m extraordinarily pleased the Irish Government is in a position to work, where appropriate, on a range of issues.

“I think we have an impressive list of areas where we are now actively co-operating and collaborating in.”

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