80 female politicians targeted in 'campaign of harassment'

At least 80 female councillors have been subjected to a "targeted campaign of harassment" in the Republic of Ireland, an organisation has said.

The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) said the women were from different political parties and had reported receiving disturbing calls, some of which included sexually inappropriate comments.

AILG president Aengus O'Rourke described the reports as "deeply concerning" and said no elected representative should face intimidation or harassment for carrying out their public duties.

An Garda Síochána (Irish police) said the matter was being investigated by its special detective unit at a national level.

Police said liaison officers had been appointed in every Garda division for support, while divisional crime prevention officers were available to provide personal safety advice.

They urged any public representative who experiences harassment or was the victim of a crime is urged to report it.

The AILG, which is the national representative body for the Republic of Ireland's 950 city and county councillors, said no politician should be subjected to harassment, intimidation or abusive behaviour.

"The reports we have received are deeply concerning and point to what appears to be a deliberate campaign targeting women in public office," AILG president O'Rourke said.

Donegal councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman told the Donegal Daily she received calls of a sexual nature that made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

The representative from Ballybofey said the caller rang back within a minute after she initially hung up and continued attempting to contact her throughout the day and later that evening.

In a statement shared on social media, she thanked AILG for highlighting the issue and said female politicians would not be intimidated from doing their work.

"I have been receiving these calls as well as other women across Ireland and all parties," she said.

"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.

AILG head of operations Elaine Lynch said the association had contacted every female councillor in the Republic of Ireland to alert them to the issue and provide advice on screening telephone calls and reporting incidents.

"While this behaviour has been directed at female councillors, it is an attack on local democracy itself," Lynch said.

AILG has also appealed to members of the public not to contact councillors using withheld or private numbers where possible.

Instead, constituents are being encouraged to leave a voicemail, send a text message or email, or use published contact details available through their local authority to help councillors distinguish legitimate enquiries from nuisance or abusive calls.

The association said it would continue to work with the police.