Threat of a bullet for Healy-Rae

GARDAÍ have launched an investigation into a threat “to put a bullet” into the well-known Kilgarvan TD Michael Healy Rae.

The incident occurred at Dolphin’s Barn area of Dublin when the Independent TD was sitting in traffic which had come to a stand-still.

A car pulled up alongside him and gestured for him to open the window – something the TD regularly does to talk to people.

However, one of the three passengers inside the car threatened that he would put a bullet into the Kilgarvan TD following some verbal abuse towards the deputy. This included foul language towards the well-known political figure.

It is understood that the person told Michael Healy-Rae that “a bullet should be put in his head” and that they would do it to him.

The incident came the day after his brother, Danny Healy-Rae TD, was criticised at a meeting about planned windfarms in Gneeveguilla. On that night, he was accused of talking out of “both sides of his mouth” after he was questioned about his work on other windfarm projects in the county.

His daughter, Maura, also spoke at the meeting which prompted some people to leave the meeting over the anger about their involvement in other windfarm projects.

This has led to some speculation that the death threat to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae was highlighted to deflect attention from the controversy in Kerry. This was strongly denied by Michael Healy-Rae TD, who said that the incident is being investigated by gardaí, and he said that it would be “unusual” for anyone to say such a thing about this incident.

The incident was captured on CCTV, and it is understood that Gardaí have identified those involved.

Deputy Healy-Rae told The Kerryman he was prompted to report the incident to gardaí “because it was a step too far”.