Fine Gael councillor Maurice Dockrell has called on the government to expel the Iranian Ambassador and close the Iranian Embassy in Dublin.
Dockrell is making the calls following what he calls “explicit threats” broadcast on Iranian state television against Iranians living both inside and outside Iran.
Dockrell said the language used by state media “crossed a line that no democratic state can ignore.”
He noted that the Iranian Embassy is located within his own electoral area in Blackrock Ward, Dún Laoghaire.
He pointed to the words broadcast publicly: “When the dust of this unrest settles, we will grab every one of you by the collar.” This was followed by the threat: “That is already happening. Confiscating your property is nothing, we will make your mothers mourn you…” The threat was then expressly extended beyond Iran itself with the words: “Both inside the country and outside.”
Dockrell said these were direct threats aimed at people living abroad, including dual Irish-Iranian citizens resident in Ireland and protected by Irish law.
“This threat is directed not only at Iranians living abroad but also at dual Irish-Iranian citizens living under the protection of Irish law. It includes threats against property, against families, and language that can only reasonably be understood as implying grave violence and murder,” he said.
“I am also aware of threats made to members of the Irish-Iranian diaspora, including those with dual citizenship, by individuals claiming to be connected with the IRGC.”
He added that many Iranians now living lawfully in Ireland came here precisely to escape repression and intimidation, and that such statements would cause real fear within that community.
“The Iranian regime has previously shown a willingness to target opponents in Europe. We in Ireland should not imagine that we are immune from the reach of a totalitarian regime that places little value on human rights or human life. When a regime publicly states that opponents will be pursued both inside the country and outside, democratic governments must respond. Ireland should not stand idly by.”
Councillor Dockrell said the continued operation of the Iranian Embassy in Dublin now raised serious questions under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, particularly where there is legitimate concern that diplomatic representation may coexist with intimidation directed at diaspora communities and Irish citizens.
“A state that says ‘we will grab every one of you by the collar’ and ‘we will make your mothers mourn you’, and then expressly threatens Iranians abroad, demands a firm diplomatic response.”
He confirmed that he has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister for Justice, and the Taoiseach.
He added that he had also been given a letter by members of the Irish-Iranian community setting out their concerns, which he has passed on to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Justice, and the Taoiseach.