‘I’ve had rape and death threats, spyware on my phone, been detained in the Middle East and had my children threatened’ – Irish human rights lawyer reveals the rogue nations targeting her to get to her clients…
Irish human rights barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher says threats against her and her family have escalated because of her legal work, particularly her representation of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai. Her account highlights the personal risks faced by lawyers who challenge governments, and the pressure such intimidation can place on their families.
Gallagher describes attempted hacking linked to cases involving Iran, spyware on her phone, a brief detention while monitoring a trial in the Middle East, and rape and death threats. She says her children have also been threatened and that Chinese state media labelled her an enemy after she worked on Lai’s case. Lai, a British national and founder of Apple Daily, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law.
In short
- Gallagher says her legal work has led to threats against her family.
- She links the latest targeting to representing Jimmy Lai.
- She says Irish authorities have supported her security.
Explained simply
Caoilfhionn Gallagher is an Irish barrister who represents people in high-profile human rights cases. One of her clients is Jimmy Lai, a British national and Hong Kong media founder who was convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Lawyers who take on cases against governments can face pressure intended to discourage them or affect their work. Allegations of threats, surveillance or detention raise concerns about lawyers’ safety and whether people can get fair legal representation. Such pressure can also affect their families.