Legislation preventing protests and ‘incidents of intimidation’ outside homes of politicians passed by SeanadNorthern Ireland voters go to the polls in general election with several constituencies hotly contested
“We have got to say to those small fringe groups who have no interest in our democracy and who have no interest in the rule of law that if they want to protest, protest legitimately but somebody’s private home and his or her family and neighbours deserve protection.” Ms McEntee, whose family had to be evacuated from their Co Meath home following hoax bomb threats, said “there has been a worrying evolving trend of protests outside politicians’ homes and while we all want to protect the right for people to protest peacefully, that trend has moved into a more sinister and worrying route.
The Bill, first introduced in 2021 to deal with Covid pandemic-related demonstrations, makes it an offence for a person to organise or engage in a protest within 200m of a residence. A fine of €1,000 applies for a first conviction and €5,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment for further offences.