Wexford politicians subjected to ‘vitriolic’ online abuse by ‘anonymous cowards’ during fuel protests
Wexford PeopleA Wexford politician has spoken out in defence of a colleague whose family were labelled ‘retarded’ by an anonymous poster online. The incident in question occurred during the fuel protests and, according to Councillor John Dwyer, was just the latest example of the “vitriolic” abuse politicians are exposed to on social media.
“The online abuse has become vitriolic, I spoke to a colleague whose family were called ‘retarded’, it’s absolutely shocking,” said Cllr Dwyer who is the cathaoirleach of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD). ”We have all received abuse from these anonymous cowards who don’t have the courage to put their names to their comments.”
Cllr Dwyer was speaking at a special meeting of the NRMD which had been convened to address the fallout of the fuel protests and the government’s role in bringing them to an end. And he received the support of Cllr Michael Sheehan who said the level of abuse directed towards politicians “has to be addressed”.
“We talk about encouraging people to get into local politics, no one will put themselves forward if their entire lives are exposed and destroyed online,” he said.
With regards to the government response to the protests, Cllr Sheehan was highly critical of Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan’s calls to send in the army.
“We have to call that out and say it’s the worst thing you could have done in an already heightened situation,” said Cllr Sheehan who was also critical of Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan’s decision to investigate how the protests were covered by the press – a decision which was later reversed and for which the minister has since apologised.
“Threats by the government on the freedom of the press have to be stopped,” said Cllr Sheehan.
Ultimately, motion from the NRMD, which was supported by Cllrs Dwyer, Sheehan, Pat Barden, and Marty Murphy, was proposed and carried and will now be forwarded to the Taoiseach’s office. It read as follows:
“The NRMD calls on the government of Ireland to meaningfully engage with representative groups to address the current crisis across rural Ireland; the increased cost of living, spiralling food bills, the increasing prices of diesel, petrol, home heating oil, and those affected in the farming, fishing, agri-contracting industries and the hauliers.
"We are also calling for a suite of measures to protect workers through the forthcoming budget and national wage agreements. Lastly, while we commend those involved in peaceful protests and the gardaí for their engagement, we condemn the government's threat of army deployment on Irish citizens as a means of resolution.”