The fear that a rock might come through the window of your family home at night; sexual innuendo under a simple Facebook post wishing someone a happy retirement; late night abusive phone calls - disturbing behaviour, but sadly something that our local councillors in Kilkenny are now used to.
It’s a fear that has become a reality in the city, with the targeting of Cllr Eugene McGuinness’s home, last week.
Standing for local election and serving as a local councillor seems to have done more than just make ‘public figures’ of some in Kilkenny — it has made them a target for abuse.
In the wake of an incident in Galway recently, where a bag of cow dung was thrown at a junior minister at a public meeting, the Kilkenny People heard from local councillors that this kind of line-crossing behaviour is, shockingly, widespread.
Both male and female councillors are being targeted.
Bennettsbridge-based Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre Cullen said she was ready for people to disagree with her party politics, when she stood for election, but she was not at all prepared for the sarcasm, sexual innuendo, comments about her appearance and targeting of her family.
“I can write a completely run of the mill post and it can be a comment underneath. It was particularly bad during the local elections. Comments on my looks and comments of a sexual nature appear a lot on social media, either my own posts or other sites/ accounts,” Cllr Cullen said.
“I don’t necessarily get abuse directed at me, face to face in public, but certainly online it can be really common, especially if you post about policy or a notice of motion. People can be quite sarcastic. I don’t mind constructive criticism but sometimes people can be quite abusive or dismissive. I have experienced it quite extensively at times. Comments made under posts, or private messages directly, of a sexual nature or sexual innuendo.”
See what they say
Cllr Cullen has taken the decision to let people see what is being said.
“I don’t hide the comments because I think it’s important that other people see what people are posting. If you hide (comments) you allow them to continue. I let people see what they say.
“Private messages can be a hard one too. I would have got messages late into the night from people I don’t know.”
She has gotten used to the online abuse now, but that in itself is not a good thing, Cllr Cullen said.
“What’s worrying for me is I’ve gotten so used to it. It’s awful to say you would get used to strangers posting comments like that or of a sexual nature. It’s wrong too that they don’t affect me like they would have. Wrong that it’s normalised.”
During the local election one person shared photographs of Cllr Cullen and her kids and they allowed people to comment under the post. That’s the danger of social media, Cllr Cullen said, it’s not just one person posting but they are allowing others to row in behind it.
However, Cllr Cullen is determined that this behaviour will not put her off her work as a local representative. “It’s disappointing I have gotten so used to it. Nobody should have to get used to it. I would never allow it to affect my work. It would make me more determined to continue the work I am trying to do but unfortunately there are others who simply won’t bother (standing for election) the next time.”
Local councillors use social media to inform people what’s happening. It’s important because it’s how people can access what’s happening in their area. Information from meetings or entitlements. People want that bit of the work to continue but it’s awkward, Cllr Cullen said.
City-based Cllr Joe Malone ‘closed down’ his Facebook account because of the toll the abuse was taking on his own mental health. He spent sleepless nights worrying about the safety of his family, after a threat of rocks being thrown through his family home window.
That could happen, he points to the burning of Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny’s car outside his family home.
Just days after Cllr Malone voiced his fears to the Kilkenny People it did happen in Kilkenny, at the home of Cllr Eugene McGuinness.
“I have closed down my Facebook. They can say anything they like about you on it, insult you. Some say it to your face on the street, but most people are ok. It’s just social media,” he said.
Underlining the seriousness of the trend, Cllr Malone said: “Online abuse is a silent killer, it affects mental health.”
“Research done shows most people who do that don’t even vote. They feel they can insult you. I’m full time at this job. People feel they own you. If someone approaches you for a house or a grant you have to be careful. They can hound you. The majority of people are sound.
“Oh the abuse I get online. People take it on themselves. They can say anything they like about you.
“Even for people getting involved in politics. You do get abuse. Nothing pays you for that. What happened to the minister last week is assault. It’s not good enough.”
Cllr Malone too, though, is determined to continue with his work as a local councillor. “I’d give up politics if I thought I had to be escorted by gardaí or needed extra security in my house. Everyone is in politics for the good of people.”
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