Irish Minister targeted by anti-Semitic chemical hoax

Army bomb experts were called to the home of Ireland’s Justice Minister Alan Shatter to deal with an anti-Semitic hoax chemical threat.

Members of An Garda outside the home of Ireland's Justice Minister Alan Shatter in Dublin. — Members of An Garda outside the home of Ireland’s Justice Minister Alan Shatter in Dublin.

A suspicious package containing white powder and anti-Jewish abuse was delivered to the Fine Gael politician’s house in south Dublin early on Thursday.

It was quickly declared a hoax and the suburban neighbourhood was declared safe at about 10.45am after a full-scale security operation.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the threat as a “new low” in Irish politics which, he said, has seen Jewish representatives for most of the mainstream parties down the years.

“This morning, at the home of the Minister for Justice, an incident occurred where an item in the post contained some anti-Semitic material and a substance which, when analysed, was harmless,” he told the Dail.

Mr Kenny added that a “stream of similar material” has also been sent to the

Department of Justice. Gardai are investigating the incident.

Last year, Mr Shatter was targeted by anti-Semitic posters in Limerick, reportedly posted by a far-right extremist group.