Police have apprehended a man suspected of instigating online threats towards an SDLP councillor, Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who is preparing to become the first black mayor in Northern Ireland. Ms Seenoi-Barr, originally from Kenya, is about to undertake the position of mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council next month. Since the news of her upcoming appointment broke last week, she has been the recipient of racial slurs and threats on her life.
Colum Eastwood, the SDLP leader, has expressed his severe disapproval of the vile abuse and what he labelled as ‘severe death threats’. The individual, a 30-year-old male, showed up at Strand Road police station of his own accord and was detained by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The accusations against him include harassment, death threats, and misuse of a public electronic communications network.
In the wake of his arrest, he spent the night in jail and was released on bail the next day for further investigation. The PSNI is treating this episode as a hate crime instigated by racial prejudice. PSNI’s local police inspector reassured the public and emphasized the seriousness of reports involving online threats.
Ms Seenoi-Barr disclosed that her experience of racial abuse isn’t new since she moved to Northern Ireland as a refugee in 2010. However, the recent spate of online abuse is unprecedented. She is reportedly being targetted by controversial American conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who has previously stated the Sandy Hook school shootings were staged.
The expected Mayor expressed her pain and the profound impact on her family. However, she has acknowledged the vast local and cross-island support she received. Despite the traumatic experience, Ms Seenoi-Barr is concentrating on the encouraging aspects, reaffirming her love for her city and country.