The Law Society of Ireland has strongly condemned threats made against a solicitor in Ireland in recent weeks.

The Irish Times reported today (2 August) that a Dublin-based immigration solicitor had filed a complaint with gardaí after receiving online threats of violence and arson.

The President of the Law Society Barry MacCarthy (pictured) expressed concern about what he described as “disturbing reports” of threats and intimidation directed towards a solicitor.

“Legal professionals should be able to perform their duties without fear or harm. These alarming threats not only target individual legal professionals, but also undermine the very foundation of our legal system and the rule of law,” the president stated.

He stressed that every person, regardless of their background or the nature of their case, was entitled to competent and fair legal representation, adding that this principle was fundamental to a just society, and was enshrined in the legal system.

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“When a solicitor is threatened, whether that is because of the colour of their skin, religion, ethnic background or area of legal practice, the entire legal process is threatened. Threats of this nature towards any person must be strongly condemned.

“Such actions are utterly unacceptable and represent a direct attack on the legal rights of individuals to seek representation and access justice.”

The Law Society commended the gardaí for their prompt action when recent incidents of intimidation were brought to their attention.

“The Law Society stands firmly behind all solicitors who are subjected to threats and intimidation. The Law Society is here to support our colleagues who have been targeted by these cowardly threats,” Barry MacCarthy concluded, urging solicitors to report any threats or acts of intimidation to the gardaí.