Ireland Prisoner arrested over hoax bomb threat against Taoiseach Simon Harris
A prisoner serving a lengthy sentence was arrested and taken out of a jail for questioning over a hoax bomb threat against Taoiseach Simon Harris made in June. He is being detained at a Garda station in the Midlands and has reportedly denied any involvement.
- Reported26 Jun
2 reports - Arrested9 Aug
2 reports - Charged12 Aug
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports45 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA bomb threat was made against the Co Wicklow home of Taoiseach Simon Harris on Wednesday evening (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn anonymous caller rang a Samaritans helpline shortly before 6pm and claimed there was an explosive device at the Harris family home (irishtimes.com)
- whatNo device was found during a search of the property (irishtimes.com)
- whatTaoiseach Harris was in the Dáil at the time of the threat (irishtimes.com)
- whatHarris's wife and children were at home but were not evacuated during the search (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí suspect a bomb threat against Taoiseach Simon Harris and his family came from a prisoner in an Irish jail. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMurray has brought a High Court challenge against prison sanctions over an alleged threatening phone call about a bomb at the Taoiseach's home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA prisoner has been arrested in connection with a hoax bomb threat against Taoiseach Simon Harris. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe threat was a threatening call made to the Samaritans charity and directed at Simon Harris. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereGardaí attended Mr Harris's home in Greystones. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe call was allegedly made from Midlands Prison, where Murray is held. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe prisoner is being detained at a Garda station in the Midlands. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe threat was made on Wednesday evening. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe threatening call was allegedly made on June 26. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe bomb threat call was made shortly before 6pm on Friday, 26 June 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe prisoner was arrested and taken out of a jail earlier on the morning of publication for questioning. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe threat was made on June 26th. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe call was made to the Samaritans, which prisoners have access to. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe threat was allegedly made in a call to the Samaritans. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationIt was unclear whether the threat came from any credible group and the origins of the call are under investigation (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda Special Detective Unit, the State's counter-terrorism investigative unit, is leading the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe criminal investigation was still at an early stage, and investigators were also exploring other avenues. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe prison governor held a disciplinary hearing and found Murray had engaged in misconduct by misusing the prison phone system. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí investigating online threats against Simon Harris and his family charged a man. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man was arrested on a Sunday and held at a Garda station in the north-west of the country. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeA man in his 40s has been charged with making online threats against Taoiseach Simon Harris and his family. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe matter came before Mr Justice Tony O'Connor in the High Court vacation sitting. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge was prepared to grant permission for the challenge and a stay on the sanctions until the case is decided. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned to the new legal term in October. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe man is expected to appear before a sitting of Galway District Court at 3pm on Monday 12 August. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe governor imposed 40 days loss of ordinary privileges and 12 days remission from his sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Harris's wife and children were at home and were not evacuated during the search. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIt was not clear where the call came from. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Harris said the bomb hoax was intended to intimidate and upset his family. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe governor's finding and the sanctions were upheld on appeal to the Irish Prison Operations Directorate. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMurray denies the allegation and says he was not given a proper opportunity to respond or to see the evidence against him. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe suspect is a repeat offender already serving a jail term for serious crimes. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe call warning of a bomb was made to the Samaritans. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Harris's wife and young children remained in the property during the search. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe prisoner is permitted access to the Samaritans line from his own cell. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIt is believed the prisoner used another phone in the prison to call the Samaritans. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe suspect is detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in the Garda Eastern Region. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí have investigated several threats against the Taoiseach and his young family in recent months. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIt is understood the prisoner has denied any involvement in the bomb threat. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe prisoner is currently serving a lengthy sentence for serious offences. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Aug2024Notorious prisoner arrested over hoax bomb threat against Taoiseach
Reports the arrest of a prisoner over a threatening call to the Samaritans charity directed at Taoiseach Simon Harris on 26 June. The prisoner is not named and reportedly denies involvement. Not matched to existing case 5099, which concerns a social media threat charged on 4 August.
suspect - 12 Aug2024Man, 40s, charged with making online threats against Taoiseach Simon Harris
Reports the charge and arrest of a man in his 40s and his scheduled Galway District Court appearance; gives no incident date or location of the threats.
accused, 40s, male - 9 Aug2024Prisoner arrested over bomb threat to Taoiseach’s Co Wicklow home
Confirms the suspect is a man in his 50s, a repeat offender serving a jail term for serious crimes. Details that the call was made to the Samaritans shortly before 6pm on 26 June, that the prisoner had access to the Samaritans line from his cell and used another phone in the prison. Garda search found no explosive device. Mr Harris was in the Dáil at the time. Gardaí are also investigating separate Instagram threats against the Harris family.
victim, Simon Harris, male, irish (judged from name)Simon Harrissuspect, 50s, male - 2 Aug2024Convicted rapist who allegedly made hoax bomb threat against Taoiseach’s home challenges prison sanction
Adds that Murray is challenging a prison disciplinary finding and sanctions (40 days loss of privileges and 12 days remission) in the High Court; the finding and sanctions were upheld on appeal; the High Court judge granted permission and a stay on the sanctions; the case is adjourned to October. The call was allegedly made to the Samaritans from Midlands Prison.
suspect, Michael Murray, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murrayvictim, Simon Harris, irish (judged from name)Simon Harris - 28 Jun2024Gardaí suspect bomb threat to Taoiseach’s home came from prisoner
Earlier report, before the prisoner was arrested. Adds that gardaí suspect the call came from a prisoner in an Irish jail, that the Garda Special Detective Unit leads the inquiry, that no device was found at Mr Harris's Greystones home, and that his wife and children were not evacuated.
victim, Simon Harris, irish (judged from name)Simon Harrissuspect - 26 Jun2024Garda Special Detective Unit investigating bomb threat against home of Taoiseach Simon Harris
Initial report of the bomb threat; describes the anonymous call to the Samaritans helpline, the search of the Greystones property, and the SDU-led counter-terrorism investigation.
victim, Simon Harris, male, irish (judged from name)Simon Harrissuspect