TD: Sick people circulating misleading and terrible leaflets

A TD has said those behind misleading anti-abortion leaflets being circulated in her constituency which contain graphic images and purport to come from her are “sick people”.

Dublin South Central Fine Gael TD Catherine Byrne said she was offended by protesters heckling her husband and causing distress to residents by posting extreme material inside people’s letterboxes: “They had a protest outside my home at 7am and dropped leaflets around the estate afterwards. The envelope from them said ‘don’t open if you are under 18’. They’ve also been protesting outside my constituency office for weeks with placards containing abortion images.

“My husband went out to move the van and they started shouting ‘Catherine Byrne, murderer and baby killer’.

“I got calls and emails to my office from people concerned I was advocating this. Residents were irate. Elderly people especially might believe the leaflet; they’re used to getting my leaflets through the door. People think it is me who sent these out... They are misleading leaflets.”

Delivered to hundreds of residents in the TD’s Inchicore estate, leaflets state: “This is what Fine Gael wants to legalise. Say no to abortion.” They feature pictures of aborted foetuses, advising recipients to call the TD.

Ms Byrne added: “I’ve no problem with people protesting. I’d prefer if they stay away from my home. The graphic illustrations are terrible. The implication is I sent them around. I didn’t obviously and am offended. It’s very wrong.

“It’s a sick feeling when you see these leaflets. Someone would go to these extremes. I know what it is to see a baby, I’ve had miscarriages and seen a little baby’s body.

“A girl who saw these who recently had a miscarriage rang me and she was very distraught. The people doing this are not thinking of sensitive issues, like someone who might be pregnant or someone who recently had a miscarriage. They’re sick people.”

Fine Gael party sources say they have begun to refer some recent emails from anti-abortion campaigners to gardaí.

Posters with faces of TDs Helen McEntee and Regina Doherty in Meath East and Cork TDs Tom Barry and David Stanton have also been put up around their constituencies.