Threat sent to health minister

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The Republic's health minister, another cabinet member and two fertility clinics have received threatening letters containing shotgun cartridges.

The letter to Mary Harney claimed to be from a previously unknown group - the "Irish Citizens Defence Force".

The letter and cartridge sent to Ms Harney was delivered late last month.

On Monday, the Department of Enterprise stated its minister, Micheal Martin, a former health minister, also received similar post.

Two fertility clinics, the Clane in County Kildare and the SIMS in Dundrum, Dublin, have also confirmed that they were sent letters with shotgun cartridges at about the same time.

The items were taken away for forensic examination by the Garda.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has appointed a detective inspector to examine the incidents.

It is the first time that the group that claims to have sent the letters and cartridges, the Irish Citizens Defence Forces, has been heard of.