Claudine Keane says her family’s safety is at risk as her husband Robbie is ‘used as a political pawn’

Ms Keane, in a social media post, said: "I would just like to remind a certain small group of individuals: my family, my children and I live in Ireland, this is our home. I feel extremely uncomfortable and sometimes intimidated by some messages again from a small group that are hurtful, threatening and dangerous.

"They not only genuinely put our safety and wellbeing as a family at risk, they are using a sportsperson as a political pawn and in doing so inciting hatred by making absolutely outrageous accusations.

"I always felt safe in Ireland until now." Ms Keane, who lives in Dublin with her family, said she'd always wanted to "move home" to bring up her children in Ireland.

She went on to criticise a politician - thought to be Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Bay South, Chris Andrews - who previously took aim at the former Republic of Ireland star's decision to work for the Israeli club.

"To see a politician say he (Mr Keane) should not be welcomed because he went to work in a country he (the politician) does not like, before the war began and resigned from a job he loved and did well to protect us, his family in Ireland."

"None of us signed up to this situation that happened months into his role, it was a nightmare. Please stop this absolute witch hunt and consider that politicians should not get to tell you where you can and cannot work. Is the UK, America, Saudi ok? We all want peace."

In June last year, when it was announced Mr Keane had taken the job at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Deputy Andrews wrote on X: "Very very disappointing that Irish football icon Robbie Keane would sign up with (a) racist apartheid Israeli club... Keane is in a position to set (an) example and boycott apartheid but chose not to."

In June this year, the former Republic of Ireland captain and striker, left his post at Maccabi Tel Aviv after their league-winning season.

The Dubliner had only stayed at the side for a year and had helped the club achieve their first league title since 2020. The side also won the Toto Cup.

Meanwhile, earlier today Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson said it was the FAI's decision to invite Mr Keane into camp this week and felt it was a "good thing" to have him present caps to the squad.

The footballer is Ireland's most capped player and record goal scorer. He attended the squad's Dublin hotel on Monday night to participate in the annual caps presentation to the players.

Deputy Andrews reacted again on X, writing: "That's extremely disappointing from the FAI..."

Ms Keane also added how she felt "It seems to be trendy in (the) media in Ireland to absolutely try to assassinate my husband's character very maliciously.

"There is a certain sports radio channel that have openly spoken of their dislike, from petty things like his cartwheel because apparently it's overindulgent or maybe is it because he's refused a number of requests for interviews over the years".

She went on to "apologise" to readers online for what she called a "long winded" message.

"This is what years of a bully campaign and witch hunt feels like.

"It almost breaks you. To the logical people, thank you and to the others, you are picking on wrong person/family. Enough is enough.

"I would also say my children were in the Irish hotel during cap presentation. They are Irish citizens and play schoolboys and League of Ireland football. Are they too not welcome because of a manager's job their father resigned from? It's all totally hypocritical to say the least."

The Irish Independent has reached out to Deputy Andrews for comment.