Threatening email saw candidate pull out of race for top scout role

A former candidate for the top position within Irish Scouting has revealed that he pulled out of the running after receiving an email that made insinuations about his suitability and professional life. Kiernan Gildea, who is gay, had withdrawn from the election for Chief Scout on the eve of Scouting Ireland’s National Council last April.

Yesterday Mr Gildea — who is director of operations and corporate services at the Adoption Authority of Ireland, revealed he received the anonymous email the day before the National Council meeting.

He told The Irish Scouter website that he has kept his sexuality ‘low key’ and has struggled with depression since the death of a scout on a trip to Kenya in 1997.