'Male, pale, and stale' is political blueprint in Europe, says Fine Gael MEP

As well as ensuring the safety of candidates, Maria Walsh believes every party should be fielding a wide variety of candidates from all backgrounds in the forthcoming elections. Picture: Neil Michael

A Fine Gael MEP has said the level of online abuse she gets has reached such a level that a member of her staff is now regularly monitoring social media sites for threats and intimidation.

Maria Walsh said online abuse of politicians has gotten worse and has become “more sexual” and that she has reported it to social media platforms on several occasions.