Almost two-thirds of local councillors experience threats, intimidation, or harassment, survey finds

More than 38% encountered threats via social media, while almost 33% faced threats in face-to-face encounters.

More than 60% of local councillors say they have experienced threats, intimidation, or harassment between April 2021 and September 2023.

The national representative body for councillors, the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), has released the findings of its latest survey, shedding light on the prevalence of abuse, threats, and public intimidation experienced by councillors across Ireland.

The data shows a wide range of threats, ranging from verbal challenges and intimidation to specific threats of violence.

Some occur in face-to-face encounters, but much of it stems from social media, according to the respondents. 

The survey found more than 63% of the 225 respondents reported experiencing threats, intimidation, or harassment between April 2021 and September 2023. Almost 26% said they were currently facing such incidents. 

Councillors reported threats of violence, damage to property, death threats, arson, and even threats of sexual violence. More than 38% encountered threats via social media, while almost 33% faced threats in face-to-face encounters.

More than 56% expressed worry or extreme concern about the impact on their families and this stress has led to more than half of councillors considering leaving their roles due to threats and harassment.

Of major concern was the small number of incidents which result in a prosecution.

Despite more than 25% of threats being reported to An Garda Síochána, only 3.5% resulted in prosecutions. 

Among the more frequently experienced incident types were campaigns to discredit councillors, receiving repeated unwanted messages, personal information being placed in the public domain, people repeatedly and unexpectedly appearing at events or places that respondents attend, privacy being invaded, damage to a car, home or property, and being followed or stalked.

Less frequently experienced, but more troubling incidents included: sexually explicit contacts, physical attacks, protests at councillors’ homes, malicious or dangerous items being received by post, and racial abuse.

Speaking in response to the findings, AILG president Cllr Gail Dunne said the report underscores the urgent need to tackle the normalising of abuse and harassment of councillors and to protect the future of local democracy.

“The AILG have serious concerns with the report findings as they demonstrate very little improvement in the rates of abuse and harassment experienced by our members since we conducted our first survey back in 2021. 

It is clear that this issue continues to affect our members’ ability to effectively carry out their role and cause them significant concerns about their own safety and security, and that of their families. 

"We must ensure their safety and wellbeing as they serve our communities.

"If anything, the issue is becoming more widespread, which has been fuelled by the ongoing housing crisis. While our members fully appreciate that they should be challenged and scrutinised as part of their role as public representatives, no councillor should have to face threats to their personal safety or receive threats directed against their families. 

"This is unacceptable and goes against the fundamental principles of free speech, democratic engagement, and debate.”