"Beggars Belief" - Cllrs told abuse of politicians predominantly aimed at females

Abuse received by politicians is predominantly aimed at women, Louth councillors have been told. 

Councillors were told during a presentation by the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) that all political parties are facing issues getting people to run in the next local and general elections. 

A spokesperson for AILG said parties are particularly struggling to recruit female candidates as online abuse is "predominantly leaning towards females". 

Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall said she had been subjected to "a lot of online abuse" which she said was "very difficult to deal with". 

Mayor Hall said receiving online abuse was a "normal occurrence" and criticised social media companies saying they had "refused to work" with her in an effort to take abusive posts off their platforms. 

She said the issue only got resolved after she went on national radio to share the abuse she had been receiving. Mayor Hall said in Ireland "we’re very lucky to have a voice on national forums", however acknowledged that "it should never get like that".

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The spokesperson for AILG said it is "beggars belief" that is is acceptable to talk to public representatives in such a manner before saying it shouldn't be part of the job. 

However, Mayor Hall said that being a politician has always been a difficult job. 

Although, she said it can be particularly hard for new councillors who may know someone who is giving them abuse online. 

"You may know these people, you may meet these people in the shop, you may know their family."

"The longer you’re a councillor the easier it gets, but it is very difficult for a new councillor," she said. 

A 2021 survey by AILG found that 72% of councillors had experienced threats, intimidation and/or harassment in the previous three years. Of which, six out of ten (60%) were experienced over social media and were 33% face-to face. Around one in four (25%) threats were reported to An Garda Síochána. However, less than 3% of reported cases resulted in prosecutions

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.