Who would disagree with Paul Murphy of PBP when he notes about a series of intimidating and threatening incidents directed against him and others in the recent past. The most recent was a verbal threat to murder his wife.
He notes:
And then this, which is obviously extremely serious so yes, I do take it seriously. Things are escalating, things are getting more intimidating and threatening, but obviously the answer to that from our point of view is take some security measures but not to be intimidated because I think that's what these people want.
"They're very much targeting the left. They're targeting Sinn Féin, they're targeting the opposition to the Government. And they want us not to be out talking to people and campaigning."
But that says it all. Those who actually have authority in regard to the crisis, the government, are being largely ignored in these incidents. Instead it is those who provide a counter-narrative who are the focus of such activities. And it makes sense. Go after the government and the full force of the law is likely to be directed against those doing this - push against the opposition in an effort to blunt their authority and influence within communities and that provides the far-right with at least some space. Granted those involved remain, thankfully, in small numbers. But there really appears to be a sort of casualness on the part of the state and the government in relation to all this.
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