TD urges parties to fund Dáil counselling service

John Halligan was speaking on the first anniversary of the death of Fine Gael junior minister Shane McEntee, 56.
At his funeral on Christmas Eve last year Mr McEntee’s brother Gerry hit out at anonymous online attacks on the Meath East TD which occurred in the weeks after the budget.
He criticised what he described as “the faceless people” who sent anonymous texts to the father of three and posted criticism on websites.
Fine Gael has since put in place professional counselling and support structures for politicians who request help relating to verbal or online abuse, financial worries or marital problems.
A spokesperson said the party was “constantly evaluating to ensure that it is effective, appropriate and fit for purpose”.
Independent Waterford TD John Halligan, who received a death threat during the abortion legislation debate, said that some, especially government TDs, continue to receive vicious abuse from the public.
“People must remember that all TDs are human beings. Normal criticism is okay but you have to be very thick-skinned to put up with some of it and you don’t know how it affects people and their families.”
Mr Halligan said following the death of his mother he received a letter claiming “she would be turning in her grave” over his stance on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.
Fine Gael TD Pat Deering also welcomed the counselling service, saying his young family faced a number of anti-property and water charges protests outside their Co Carlow home.
“I’ve had my own issues,” he said. “There have been a number of protests outside my home. I believe it’s very unfair for my wife and two young children to have to face these protesters when they arrive home from work or school as they are not involved in politics at all.”
He said that he had no problem with protests outside his constituency offices and welcomed constructive criticism but he said Facebook “can be a problem” as comments can be very abusive.
While Mr Deering hasn’t used the services himself, he described the death of Shane McEntee as a “hammer blow” as he had only met him days before he took his own life.
The controversial Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill anda series of austerity measures have further fuelled the “hothouse” atmosphere in Irish political life.
Thousands attended Mr McEntee’s funeral at which Taoiseach Enda Kenny delivered a graveside oration.
Mr McEntee’s daughter Helen retained her father’s seat in the Meath East by-election three months later.