Athenry politicians threatened over Apple withdrawal

FOUR local public representatives received anonymous threats last month in the wake of the decision by computer giants, Apple, to pull-out of the €850m Athenry Data Centre project.

Ministers of State, Ciaran Cannon and Seán Canney, along with two Athenry area councillors – Independent Gabe Cronnelly and Fianna Fáil’s Shelly Herterich Quinn – received the threats in the post around the middle of last month.

The threats to the four individuals – and their families have been reported to Gardaí who are investigating the incidents.

While the letters may be the work of ‘a crank’, the four politicians – and the Gardaí – have taken a serious view of them and especially so with the inclusion of threats to their families.

The letters read as follows: “This is a message to you. The people of Athenry have waited long enough for Apple. They might have endless patience but I don’t.

“Get Apple here by Christmas, or things will happen to you, and your families. [the last three words in capital letters].

“You might think that this is an idle threat but can you risk it?

“Remember. You don’t know me when we might pass on the street, but I will know you, and I will find out who your families are. Anonymous.”

Minister Ciaran Cannon said in a statement this week that the threats against a person’s loved ones were ‘too despicable for words’ adding that anonymous letters were the ‘refuge of cowards’.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.