Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Fein, has lodged a complaint with the police regarding an online death threat. The threat, which she claims has followed a year of unacceptable online harassment, stated that a man intended to shoot and kill her.
On a note of irony, McDonald revealed that the threat was made whilst she was conducting an online discussion emphasising the necessity of a hard-line approach against violence perpetrated towards women and children. The Sinn Fein leader has publicly described the threat as ‘blatant and blunt’, and the culmination of over 12 months of misogynistic and, at times, racist abuse directed towards her.
McDonald stood up for her belief in the freedom of expression whilst condemning censorship. However, she stated that threats against her life or the lives of others are totally unacceptable and sinister. The leader has issued a reminder to the police that she expects them to handle the threat appropriately.
Also in the headlines, a video was posted online showing a man masked, who discussed a recent protest at the formar Crown Paints warehouse, planned as accommodation for asylum seekers. In his message, he also issued threats to the Police Commissioner Drew Harris, politicians at large, and Ms McDonald. The police have been approached for a response.
She stated that the threat was not linked to any specific concern. Over the past year, there has been an observed trend of a highly organised online community aggressively targeting Sinn Féin and her specifically.
The apparent mission of this tactic, she believes, is to destabilise the trust or sever the ties between her, Sinn Féin, and those who support and depend on their representation. This attack has been unwaveringly intense.
Evidence of this can be visibly seen on any of her social media accounts. However, the situation heightened last night when a direct life-threatening message was received, which left her deeply shaken. This incident has now been reported to An Garda Síochána.
Furthermore, the individual responsible has, this year alone, declared a threat on a high-ranked An Garda member. She finds this completely intolerable and anticipates that it will be appropriately addressed.