80 female politicians targeted in 'campaign of harassment'
The women were from different parties and had reported receiving disturbing calls, a local government organisation says.
Eighty female politicians in the Republic of Ireland have been targeted in a "campaign of harassment," an organization has revealed.
The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) stated that numerous female councillors from various political parties have reported receiving unsettling phone calls, some of which included sexually inappropriate remarks. AILG president Aengus O'Rourke characterized these reports as "deeply concerning," emphasizing that no elected official should endure intimidation or harassment while performing their public duties.
An Garda Síochána, the Irish police force, confirmed that its special detective unit is investigating the matter at a national level. Police have assigned liaison officers to every Garda division for support and have made divisional crime prevention officers available to offer personal safety advice. They urged any public representative experiencing harassment or victimized by a crime to report it.
Elaine Lynch, AILG's head of operations, confirmed that the association had reached out to every female councillor in Ireland. The AILG, which serves as the national representative body for the Republic of Ireland's 950 city and county councillors, asserted that no politician should be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or abusive behavior.
President O'Rourke commented, "The reports we have received are deeply concerning and point to what appears to be a deliberate campaign targeting women in public office."
Donegal councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman informed the *Donegal Daily* that she received calls of a sexual nature that caused her extreme discomfort. The representative from Ballybofey recounted that the caller redialed within a minute after she initially hung up and persisted in attempting to contact her throughout the day and into the evening.
In a statement shared on social media, Nic Mheanman thanked AILG for bringing attention to the issue, declaring that female politicians would not be deterred from their work. "I have been receiving these calls as well as other women across Ireland and all parties," she stated. "This is a direct attack on female councillors." She also appealed to constituents to ensure their phone numbers are visible when making contact, adding that she would no longer answer calls from private or withheld numbers.
Lynch explained that the AILG had contacted all female councillors in the Republic of Ireland to alert them to the problem and provide guidance on screening calls and reporting incidents. "While this behavior has been directed at female councillors, it is an attack on local democracy itself," Lynch asserted.
The AILG has also requested that members of the public avoid contacting councillors using withheld or private numbers whenever possible. Instead, constituents are encouraged to leave a voicemail, send a text message or email, or use published contact details available through their local authority. This measure aims to help councillors differentiate legitimate inquiries from nuisance or abusive calls. The association affirmed its commitment to continue collaborating with the police.