Simon Harris says brother Adam 'shaped so much of who he is'
Simon Harris has paid a moving tribute to his brother, Adam, saying that he ‘shaped so much of who he is.’
Adam Harris is the founder and CEO of autism charity AsIAm, which came to be over Adam’s experience with autism when it was less understood at the time of his diagnosis.
With Adam’s brother being the Tánaiste, he has found himself in the limelight regardless of his charity work — with him and his brother Simon appearing very close on social media.
Simon Harris has paid a moving tribute to his brother, Adam, saying that he ‘shaped so much of who I am.’ Pic: Simon Harris/Instagram
With World Autism Day occurring on Thursday, Fine Gael leader Mr Harris shared a touching tribute to his brother, saying that having a brother with autism ‘has shaped so much of who I am.’
He wrote on social media: ‘It taught me perspective and the importance of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. It’s reminded me, time and again, that everyone experiences life differently and that difference is something to be respected, supported and celebrated.
‘Behind every policy or debate, there are real people and real families. I’m proud to be one of them.’
‘Adam has inspired me every day and continues to,’ he continued. ‘Amongst my many titles and roles, one of my very favourite and most proud is “Adam’s brother.”‘
Mr Harris had previously shared a lovely photo of him and his younger brother on Adam’s wedding day to his now husband, Daniel, writing that he was the best uncle to Mr Harris’ children and wishing him and Daniel happiness.
‘To Adam, my buddy, the best brother, uncle and friend anyone could ask for, wishing you and Daniel a lifetime of happiness on this, your wedding day,’ Mr Harris wrote.
Mr Harris previously paid tribute to Daniel on his wedding day, with the pair sharing a sweet selfie of them donning tuxedos for Adam’s big day. Pic: Simon Harris/Instagram
‘Proud of you always.’
It comes not long after Adam described ‘tactics of intimidation’ as ‘appalling’ towards him and his family.
In December 2025, the Tanaiste told Patrick Grealish to ‘stay away’ from his family after the Galway man pleaded guilty to making an online threat to kill or cause serious harm to Mr Harris and his loved ones last August.
In his victim impact statement to the court, Mr Harris spoke at the time of the trauma of getting messages late at night threatening to harm his wife and family, saying at the time: ‘How would you feel? To be reading that someone wants to harm your young children. That someone wants to harm your loved ones.’
Grealish was given an eight-month suspended sentence with the final four months suspended on condition he remains alcohol and intoxicant free and complies with his doctor’s directions.
Speaking about the online abuse that his political brother receives, Adam said: ‘Well, I think what it’s just absolutely appalling to see is a real questioning of discourse that’s happened in recent times.
‘You know, I’m an advocate for a living, and it’s entirely appropriate for people to raise a view, for people to raise concerns, but we’ve seen in the tactics of some has been intimidation, has been threatening behaviour that is by no means protest and no means acceptable.’
