Newly elected senator Mairia Cahill to meet rape victim support groups

Mairia Cahill has promised to meet with rape victim support groups in one of her first acts as a senator.

The Labour candidate won 122 of the 188 valid votes cast in the by-election, in which only TDs and senators could vote.

Labour Party leader and Tánaiste Joan Burton yesterday hit out at “online warriors” who, she said, had subjected Ms Cahill to the “most incredible level of abuse” in recent times.

Ms Cahill’s nomination had been criticised over her involvement in a dissident republican group.

On Thursday, she said she regretted joining the Republican Network for Unity and no longer considers herself a republican.

Ms Burton said: “The campaign that has been waged against her on a continuous basis does absolutely no service to political discussion and democracy in this country and the kind of online warriors who have carried out an absolutely unprecedented campaign of vilification, I think some of them should pause to consider what the impact of that may be.”

Ms Cahill said she would focus on supporting those who have suffered sexual and domestic abuse.

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She said she would also work to address youth unemployment.

The Belfast woman comfortably reached the quota, receiving a record number of votes in a Seanad by-election and replacing the retired senator Jimmy Harte.

However, she ruled out running for the Dáil in the next general election.

Ms Burton said it was “a proud day” for the party, adding that Ms Cahill would be an excellent addition to the Seanad.

“In the past she has shown immense courage and bravery to speak out about her own abuse and to continue to campaign for justice,” said Ms Burton.