Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly has condemned whoever sent a threatening package to his constituency office.

A package, containing a suspicious substance and a letter threatening Mr Kelly and his family, was opened by a female member of his staff at his office in Nenagh, Co Tipperary,on Friday morning.

The latest letter was sent a day before a national demonstration against water charges is to take place.

The correspondence warned Mr Kelly to watch his back, his family, his car and his house, and threatened that he would be “dealt with”.

The package contained a white powder. Gardaí and the Defence Forces were called and the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team examined the substance.

Three of Mr Kelly’s staff remained in the building for up to four hours until the package was declared a hoax at 1.30pm.

“This is a highly deplorable incident,” said the Minister. “It is not something any office of any occupation should have to deal with at any time.

“I will not be making any further comment other than to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the constituency office staff who regrettably have to encounter such instances. My primary concern is for their health and safety.”

Gardaí and Army

Mr Kelly also said: “I would further like to thank the gardaí and the Army for the professionalism they demonstrated while they regrettably had to deal with this incident.”

The Labour deputy leader has received a number of death threats since becoming Minister for the Environment.

There was a bomb threat in his constituency office last November after days of menacing phone calls. He contacted gardaí over the threats, which warned that a bullet would be put through his head.

The letter was sent a day before a demonstration against water charges is due in Dublin.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to march against water charges in Dublin city centre from 2pm on Saturday afternoon.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams called on people to come out and protest against the Government and Irish Water.

Going nowhere

“Whether they simply cannot pay or refuse to pay, the reality is that the majority of households have not signed up to Irish Water,” Mr Adams said. “It’s going nowhere.

“I would encourage citizens to mobilise in huge numbers in Dublin to demonstrate that huge opposition to water charges has not gone away, but indeed has grown.”

Demonstrators will assemble at Connolly Station and Heuston Station at 2pm. They will then proceed to O’Connell Street.