Tipperary councillor backs Tánaiste Simon Harris amid online abuse
Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan, who is also President of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), said the organisation has expressed its support for Tánaiste Simon Harris, following reports of hostile social media threats directed at him and his family.
Tipperary County Councillor Mary Hanna Hourigan, President of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), which represents 950 councillors across Ireland’s 31 city and county councils, has expressed its support for Tánaiste Simon Harris, T.D., following reports of hostile social media threats directed at him and his family.
The AILG President confirmed that the Association’s National Executive has resolved to communicate its solidarity with the Tánaiste, noting the organisation’s own experience of councillors facing online intimidation.
Cllr Hanna Hourigan said: “It is never acceptable to threaten a public representative or his or her family. We are all democratically elected by the people of Ireland and, while we do not shy away from robust debate, threats and intimidation are never acceptable.”
She continued: “We have received reports of councillor members being subjected to hostile social media communications, and we have engaged with An Garda Síochána and Coimisiún na Meán to support our members in mitigating the impact of threatening online behaviour. There are worrying implications for the health of our democracy if the trend of hostile online messaging is allowed to continue.”
Earlier this month, Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family received threats online twice in one week, aimed at intimidating the politician.
It was reported this week that Gardaí are seeking the assistance of Interpol in the investigation into threats and it is believed that they originated outside of the country.