Cllr speaks out against rising tide of online abuse directed at public representatives

The abuse experienced by politicians was highlighted last week when Dunshaughlin's Cllr Gerry O'Connor came under fire on social media for publishing daily Covid-19 updates.

While most of his constituents seemed grateful to get the information, he was called offensive names and had been described as “useless” by a poster who was angry that he was highlighting the figures.

Cllr O'Connor spoke up about the abuse this week along with a number of Meath councillors who have been the subject of hateful rants and foul language.

“If you want to call me names do it to my face. I've noticed that the abuse I got wasn't on the poster’s own page but on a noticeboard.

“It is wrong that people can be abusive in this way.

“I have found that a lot of people stop me in the street to thank me for publishing the figures and the silent majority seem to be happy about it but you get a few nutjobs.

“These keyboard warriors need to be exposed. They don't know what is going on in people’s lives. It isn't fair that they can just call people names.”

Cllr O'Connor, whose mother died at Christmas said that he is grieving.

“We don't know what is going on in other people’s lives. Somebody could be having a bad time and this kind of abuse can tip them over. He pointed out that former Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy said one of the reasons he had resigned from politics is the abuse.

“It is not acceptable. Minister Helen McEntee and former Minister Regina Doherty have had vile abuse.

“It is just too easy to target politicians,” he said.

Cllr Sharon Tolan has also been the target of abuse, which led to her sitting down with her husband to decide whether to continue in politics or not.

“I switched off and came back rejuvenated.” She says the abuse has got particularly bad over the last few months.

“It can get quite intense. Somebody can post incorrect information and then I'm told I'm useless, a waste of space, that I don't care about the people.

“I look at the names of those doing this and some of them are people that I have helped.

“I have had a lot of abuse about the Educate Together School and over parking on the beach.

“I've often woken at 6.30 or 7am to find a whole host of messages waiting for me, demanding to know why I haven't answered – but I've been asleep.

“It would be impossible to respond to everyone on social media and if somebody wants me to respond they can contact me by phone or email.

“The abuse doesn't bother me personally but my 75-year old mother is on social media and she gets upset when she sees it and my children don't like it.

“It seems to have got worse over the last few months,” she said.

Cllr Nick Killian said he has been the subject of very nasty personal attacks on Facebook over the years, but he just lets it wash over him.

“Most people are kind, nice and respectful, but there are those that see us as easy pickings on social media.

“Some attacks can be very personal and dragging families into it is unforgivable,” he said. Cllr Wayne Harding has also experienced abuse. “The level of abuse experienced by the 40 members of Meath County Council who stand up and represent the people of the county has gone beyond a joke.”