A man has been arrested in the Kilkeel area on suspicion of three counts of ‘threatening communications’ under the Online Safety Act 2023.

The 36 year old was detained earlier today by Newry, Mourne and Down CID detectives investigating threatening telephone calls made to two local councillors in December 2025 and in February of this year respectively.

He remains in police custody at present.

Chief Inspector Adam Ruston said: “It is a worrying reality that elected representatives are routinely the subject of abuse, threats and other criminality. This is wholly unacceptable and we will robustly investigate any offences reported to us. 

We will also continue to do all we can to ensure that all of our politicians are supported and that they can undertake their role free from fear and intimidation."

The arrest is not related to a separate investigation by PSNI Terrorism Investigation Unit and Local Policing into an online video appearing to show masked and armed men which circulated on social media last year.