Blogger subjected to racist abuse while tweeting from @Ireland

A British black woman who was chosen to helm a popular Irish Twitter account was forced to take a break, after she received a torrent of abusive and racist messages online.

Tue, 23 Aug, 2016 - 01:00

Ciara Flaherty

The @Ireland account, run by Irish Central, is taken over by a different person every week to provide a unique perspective on life in Ireland.

From their website:

"As the Ireland of today is not confined to the island of Ireland, the varied voices of @Ireland come from Ireland and across the world."

This week was the turn of Michelle Marie, a blogger and plus-size model, who ’moved to Ireland for love’ from Oxford in 2013.

Marie, who lives in Mayo, was hoping to use her time on the platform, which has over 40,000 followers, to discuss body-positivity and motherhood but the conversation was quickly derailed by abusive tweets directed towards her.

After "8hrs of non-stop hate," Michelle decided to take a break from the account, saying she was "hurt, shocked and appalled".

I am not an Irish citizen or of Irish descent. Correct. But I do live in Ireland and this account is to represent all residents here.
— Ireland / (@ireland) August 22, 2016

Just to be clear this was said tongue in cheek. It's frustrating that race is commented on in any context in 2016.
— Ireland / (@ireland) August 22, 2016

Nevermind the facts. That genetically I'm quarter white British. Or that the 3rd world home I'm meant to f*ck off back to is England.
— Ireland / (@ireland) August 22, 2016

She tweeted out a short statement in which she said that while she had expected "trolls, backlash and criticism" she had experienced "racism, sexism, fatophobia and homophobia to a degree I have never known."

This is all I have left to say for today... pic.twitter.com/EYsZt4efj8
— Ireland / (@ireland) August 22, 2016

Marie did also receive many messages of support, with many urging her to report the abuse and block the accounts.

@ireland Michelle I'm sorry u've met the haters here, I'm embarrassed by that, don't let haters change your goal. Yor doing us proud! Love M
— the script (@thescript) August 23, 2016

Internet bullying/trolling is a problem. Good move to call that idiot out, people like that MUST be exposed!
— Jason Sputnik (@Sputniktechno) August 22, 2016

Big thank you to all those standing up to the prejudice I'm facing. All I can think is wait til they find out I'm gay as well 😂
— Ireland / (@ireland) August 22, 2016

She returned this morning with a quick message addressing the situation, before moving on to discuss her experience of growing up adopted.