Senator quits social media due to ‘cyber cowards’

A Labour party senator has quit social media after being targeted by internet trolls.

Donegal senator Jimmy Harte was an avid user of both Facebook and Twitter.

But the Letterkenny-based politician has now quit the sites after his private address and other personal details were revealed online.

“I just had enough,” said Mr Harte. “I think social media has so many advantages if it is used for the good. But I just see more and more negative uses for it and that is why I quit.”

Mr Harte said he received a lot of abuse online from what he referred to as “cyber cowards”.

He said he had no problem with political debate but not when it put his family at risk. “To print my private address in what was a derogatory manner was the last straw for me.

“I have a young daughter and a wife, as well as grown-up children and I simply could not risk their safety.

“It was not a decision I took lightly as I was an avid user of social media, but I had to in the end.

“If someone wants to express a view or have a debate with me, they can pick up the phone or come and see me and we can discuss it like adults.”

Mr Harte said he had spoken to a number of other politicians who, he said, are also considering bringing to an end their presences on Facebook and Twitter.

“It’s a serious issue and I think the area of anonymity when posting has to be looked at. It’s too easy to open up an account, carry out this abuse and then move on,” said Mr Harte, adding that he is in the process of setting up a new website and will use that as his online presence.

It emerged at the weekend that a number of politicians are preparing to take legal action against bloggers, tweeter,s and other online contributors for defamation and harassment.

Media lawyer Paul Tweed says he has on his books several politicians in the Republic who feel some of their online critics have gone too far.

He said a couple of cases would likely go to court but his clients’ preference was just to have their most vicious detractors silenced.

Last week, the lawyer secured online apologies for businessman and founder of the former Libertas party Declan Ganley following disparaging remarks made last month by blogger and tweeter Kevin Barrington.

He is also acting for failed presidential election candidate Seán Gallagher over the fake tweet on RTÉ’s Frontline programme and last month he secured a substantial settlement for former minister Frank Fahey.