The murder of US activist Charlie Kirk and threats to Tánaiste Simon Harris show no country is immune to political attacks, US Congressman Brendan Boyle has warned.
Speaking in an exclusive interview to RTÉ's News at One, Congressman Boyle said Mr Kirk’s killing is the latest in a string of violent political attacks in the US and he blamed social media for "spreading conspiracies and inflaming people".
Listen: US Congressman Brendan Boyle speaks about the increase in political attacks
The Pennsylvania Congressman described Mr Kirk’s killing as "worrying" and one "of a number of political acts of violence in recent years".
He labelled the killing as an attack on democracy and said that as an "elected official … with a family and a young daughter. It’s especially worrying".
"It is an attack on the idea that we settle disputes and political controversies through debate, discussion and ultimately the ballot box," Democratic Congressman Boyle said.
The shooting of Mr Kirk, a Trump ally and conservative activist, is the latest in a growing list of politically motivated violence and attacks in the United States.
Earlier this year, two Democratic state legislators in Minnesota were shot in their homes. Last year, Donald Trump was twice the target of assassination attempts.
"I would love to say no, that this does not reflect politics in the United States of America, but we have to face the reality that we are living through a very difficult time right now. I pray and believe we will get through it," Congressman Boyle said.
With growing concern that Mr Kirk's death may fuel more political violence in the United States, Congressman Boyle said that while there will be "irresponsible voices" who will try to "inflame things", he as a Democrat condemns all acts of violence.
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He added that "the overwhelming majority of people in politics, whether Democrat or Republican, have spoken out almost word for word condemning this [murder of Charlie Kirk]".
Asked about threats in Ireland against Tánaiste Simon Harris, his family, and other politicians, Congressman Boyle said "no democracy these days is immune from these sorts of threats".
He blamed social media for threats and acts of violence against elected representatives.
"Let’s face it, the one thing that is different about our time versus previous generations is social media. I do think that social media is playing an incredibly negative role in terms of helping to spread conspiracies and then inflaming people," said Congressman Boyle.
Mr Kirk was a strong supporter of gun rights and the second amendment’s right to bear Arms.
While his death has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill a significant majority of Democrats are calling for stricter gun safety legislation to be passed by Congress.
"You know, this is an area where I have been crystal clear for very long time. I think the gun laws in the United States are far, far too permissive," said Congressman Boyle.
"We will be far better off when we reach the day that we're finally to able to break the power of the NRA and get stronger gun laws," the Congressman added.
"The difference between the United States and the rest of the world is not that we have more incidences of mental illness. It's that people here in the United States can far too easily get a gun," he said.
