'Shoot the f*g': Limerick mayor condemns death threats and homophobic abuse

A spokesperson for the mayor's office told the Irish Examiner An Garda Síochána have been contacted

Last month, John Moran had already said he was left “deeply disappointed” by homophobic abuse he received throughout the Summer in the City initiatives.

Limerick mayor John Moran has condemned online abuse and death threats he received on social media.

Several abusive comments, including death threats, have been made towards Mr Moran over the past few weeks.

Comments seen by the Irish Examiner were of a homophobic and explicit nature.

"He's a cyclops bastard wasting our money shoot the f*g," read one comment.

Other derogatory comments described him as a "flaming plank", "a droopy eye w**k*r", and referred to his supporters as "bum boy fans".

A spokesperson for the mayor's office told the Irish Examiner that Mr Moran was aware of the online statements, which he condemns "unreservedly".

"Disagreement and debate are a normal part of public life, but they must always be conducted respectfully. Abuse and threats, including death threats, have no place in our society and must be taken very seriously to protect the people targeted and their families," said the spokesperson.

"The Office of the Mayor has already been in contact with the relevant authorities, including An Garda Síochána, in relation to a range of recent abusive commentary on social media. As this has now been escalated, we are not in a position to comment further," they added.

An Garda Síochána have been contacted for comment.

The online abuse comes as Mr Moran recently proposed a number of road closures in the city centre to facilitate a Christmas market. He previously had received similar abuse throughout the summer, after announcing some streets in the city would be partially closed to facilitate his Summer In The City programme.

“I was deeply disappointed and, at times, taken aback by some of the personally abusive comments directed at me and at supporters of Summer in the City on social media. Some descended into explicitly homophobic abuse,” Mr Moran had written on his blog.