Threatening letter sent to local election candidate
A YOUNG political activist who received a letter to his home containing serious threats against him has called the action "disturbing and reprehensible" but vowed to continue his work in the community.
Cormac Corr (23), who ran as an Independent candidate in the local elections for the Kells area in June of this year received the anonymous handwritten letter last Wednesday that demanded he quit politics or he would "meet a bad accident" at his next public clinic.
The letter seen by Meath Chronicle went on to say that if he "tried anything" Corr would end up "not talking like Jack Kennedy," the American president who was assassinated in 1963. Gardai have confirmed that they are investigating the incident.
Corr's bid for the local elections in June was unsuccessful, he was eliminated in the third round but received 600 votes. He was appointed as a Meath Peace Commissioner by Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee earlier this year.
In a statement, the community activist said the incident was a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who wish to represent the public.
However, he vowed to not let this event deter him from his political and community role.
"I will not be cowed by fear or violence," said Corr."My principles, my commitment to the people, and my love for the town of Kells remain as strong as ever," he added.
"I have always stood firm for the values I believe in, and I will continue to do so despite this attempt to silence me.
He added that he was "naturally shaken" by the content of this threat, but his resolve remained "firm and unwavering."
" I wish to emphasise that the cowardly actions of an individual or group will not hinder my dedication to the people of Kells and North Meath, nor will they force me to abandon the community I serve with pride," said Corr.
Speaking to the Meath Chronicle this week, the peace commissioner said he did not know who was responsible for the letter and efforts had been made to conceal their identity.
"I know it has been happening to a lot of people in politics but I never thought it would happen to me," said Mr Corr.
"There are at least two or three different types of font throughout the letter meaning that it was written by a few people or by someone who made an effort to hide their own handwriting," he added.
"It condemned me for continuing my political involvement past the election and after that it outlines their belief that I am a populist who only does my community work for political gain and they outlined if I was not to resign my position and contact the Minister for Justice by Friday and indeed give up my directorship on Kells Credit Union that there would be repercussions, the term that they used that was underlined was that I would meet with a "bad accident" at my next clinic.
"The end of it did make a direct threat to me naming a famously assassinated politician."
It is not the first time the community activist has felt the wrath of those who oppose his standing as he explains:
"During the local elections I had canvassers who received quite a lot of abuse on the doors, it was rare but when it happened it was quite nasty.
"Then I had the issue where I lost over 100 election posters during the campaign and then you had the nasty situation where a lot of those posters ended up flying back up on the poles once the election had ended which nearly had me hit for quite a sizeable fine for littering."
Corr says although this has been a frightening experience he is determined to continue fighting for his community.
"I'd be lying if it didn't make me examine the direction the country is going in when it comes to public discourse, some sort of venom has gotten in there that allowed someone to become that twisted but it doesn't make me reconsider things, if anything it strengthens my resolve,"he said.