'Huge concerns' for safety of councillors amid 'increasingly hostile environment' ahead of local elections

Advocacy group Women for Election said the harassment, intimidation and abuse of female politicians had 'escalated' and was 'increasingly normalised, particularly online'.

The body representing local councillors has “huge concerns” for the safety of its members amid an “increasingly hostile environment” in the run-up to the local elections on June 7.

The warning from the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), follows a number of incidents, including threats to councillors, some involving knives, and at least one case of an assault on a councillor and her spouse.