A GROUP of protesters have gathered outside Health Minister Simon Harris this afternoon, criticising his opposition to fake military parades.

Mr Harris was among the most vocal critics of the Easter parades by men and women who marched down O’Connell Street in the days after Lyra McKee’s murder.

He said the marches by groups supporting dissident republicans were ‘“repulsive, distasteful and sickening”.

“There is only one Irish Army, and the idea of people playing dress-up is repulsive, frankly,” he said.

But the demonstrators who targeted his Wicklow home today took issue with his commentary.

Independent.ie understands Mr Harris was at home during the protest today. Gardaí were at the scene.

A spokesperson for the minister said:

"The Minister's paramount concern is the safety of his family and he is very grateful for the swift response of An Garda Siochana.

"The Minister remains focused on his duties and will not allow such attempt at intimidation to succeed."

It is the second time the ‘Fingal Battalion’ have targeted Mr Harris.

They posted a message online stating: “Simon also slatted people who commemorated our fallen hero’s but Simon needs to know he would never be commemorated in this country as he’s one of Ireland’s biggest embarrassments.”

Mr Harris described the previous protest outside his home as “very frightening”.

It was widely condemned across the political spectrum.

Online Editors