Hackers send porn and attack Government via Boyle’s Twitter account

“SENATOR, your account’s been hacked.”

This alarming message was among the first of hundreds which stopped Green Party chairman Dan Boyle in his tracks and set the internet site Twitter abuzz yesterday afternoon.

The country’s most prominent political tweeter had enjoyed an afternoon in an overcast Kinsale when word filtered out that his Twitter website had been infiltrated.

Ordinarily, his site merely updates the world on his thoughts and activities.

However, Mr Boyle revealed last night, via tweet, that his account had been used for nefarious purposes.

“Again apologies. New password. Hopefully problem now sorted. Been told hacked messages have varied from pornography to criticism of gov.”

Some of his followers were initially pleased to receive direct contact from the senator, until they realised the sinister origins of his website’s advances.

Others were angry at receiving spam.

Ben from Dublin, aka The Jet Set, told Mr Boyle: “I’d appreciate if you didn’t spam me... or at least let me reply to them via direct messaging.”

Student blogger, Kevin Coleman, said: “Dan Boyle is sending me nasty (messages). Unprofessional, man.”

More tweeters used the opportunity to take a swipe at the Cork senator.

“How can you tell the difference between Senator Boyle’s spammy messages and his, erm, spammy tweets,” read one.

However, an hour after he was alerted to the invasion Mr Boyle informed his followers he would fix the problem.

“My apologies. It seems my Twitter account has been hacked. I am taking corrective action,” he said.

Mr Boyle’s account has grown in popularity since he used it as an effective soapbox to share his views on the Green Party’s position in Government.

He already availed of it to put pressure on Willie O’Dea in the week of his resignation.

Later he confirmed the existence of an internal party deal to rotate ministerial positions among Green Party TDs.