Under threat

On Tuesday, while I was in the Iona Institute office, a threatening envelope containing white powder arrived. It claimed to be anthrax but, according to the Gardaí, it turned out to be a “pharmaceutical irritant.” Its purpose was clearly to cause distress, intimidation and possibly harm.

Only the day before, I had attended a long-anticipated and important medical appointment where, after weeks of tests and uncertainty, I finally received the reassuring news that a potentially life-threatening condition had been ruled out. Relieved and still processing that emotional weight being lifted, I was inclined to see the “anthrax” envelope as nothing more than a foolish prank rather than a real danger. After some time, I left the office for UCD to give a lecture. It was only later, on my way back, that my colleague David Quinn informed me the Gardaí had treated the threat seriously and had cordoned off the entire area. From the bus, I saw Merrion Square sealed off and took a few photos, which I share below.

This incident received both national and international coverage, some examples of which I include here. You can also read the letter David Quinn sent to supporters of the Iona Institute for a more detailed account of what happened.

Reflecting on the episode, even though I personally did not feel in immediate danger, it is another example of the hostility I have faced over the years for speaking publicly about my convictions. At the Iona Institute, I work at the desk of my friend Tom O’Gorman, who was killed in unspeakable and diabolical circumstances. Many of his belongings remain in the room, a daily reminder that the struggle we face is not only intellectual or spiritual but also painfully real.

The Christian response, however, is to pray for those who persecute us and to trust that evil can indeed be overcome. What happened on Tuesday, though disturbing, reinforces my resolve to remain steadfast, to speak the truth with charity, and to work for a society where disagreements are met with dialogue rather than threats.

God bless us,

Angelo

 

Conservative Christian organization faces anthrax scare in Ireland - Crux

Journalist sees ‘anti-Catholic motivation’ in anthrax scare - The Pillar

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On Tuesday, we received an ‘anthrax’ package in the post

18 September 2025

On Tuesday, the street where the office of The Iona Institute is based had to be cordoned off by Gardaí (see picture above), after a suspect package was sent to us. I opened the package, which turned out to contain a large amount of white powder. Some of it spilled out onto the floor, the desk, and my hands. The letter in the package said ‘Happy Anthrax. To David Quinn and Bit*h O’Brien’, which would have been a reference to Breda O’Brien, The Irish Times columnist and occasional spokesperson for The Iona Institute. Angelo Bottone, our researcher, was also in the office when the package was opened, and he was exposed to the powder as well.

After consulting a number of people, we decided to call the nearest Garda Station (Pearse Street), and they said we were correct to call even if the powder was extremely unlikely to be anthrax. (We don’t yet know what it was). They sent two guards to our office and they were advised by a more senior officer to evacuate the building. The situation had to be treated like a bomb scare. The vast majority of bomb scares turn out to be false, but you can’t take the risk and so suspect packages must be investigated. An anthrax scare falls into the same category as a bomb scare, it seems, which makes sense given how dangerous anthrax is.

Therefore, the army’s bomb disposal unit was called. They investigate suspect packages other than possible bombs, and they were in the area and the building for several hours on Tuesday afternoon. When they left, Gardai had to treat our office as a crime scene for a few more hours, because no matter what the powder turns out to be, threatening people in this way is a crime.

We believe the motive of the person who sent the package was anti-Catholic because Breda and I are best known for writing about Catholic issues.

Down the years, our office has received a lot of hail mail and we have sometimes received physical threats as well. This tends to happen the most when there is an eruption of public anger at the Church over the scandals, or when a major social issue referendum is on. The hate mail is almost always anti-Catholic. From time to time, I have been verbally attacked on the street and on one occasion in a city centre pub where I was drinking with friends.

The powder was almost certainly harmless, but the threat and intention behind it was as malicious as could be.

I don’t think we have ever before emailed our supporters about some of the threats and abuse we receive, but what happened on Tuesday was so serious we decided to let you know, particularly in view of the fact that many politicians are now drawing more attention to the threats and abuse they receive.

Thank you as always for your support and interest. We will obviously carry on our work as before.

Yours Sincerely,

David Quinn
The Iona Institute