By-election candidates faced 'racist, xenophobic and misogynistic' abuse online

Harassment and disinformation were circulated across social media platforms including X, Facebook, and YouTube in the lead-up to polling in the Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections

Helen Ogbu (left) on the canvas trail in the Claddagh, Galway with Sabina Higgins (right) earlier this month. The Hope and Courage Collective monitor of the by-elections found that Ms Ogbu experienced 'sustained racist and xenophobic abuse'. Photo: Ray Ryan

At least 58 instances of hate, harassment, and disinformation targeting by-election candidates were circulated across social media platforms including X, Facebook, and YouTube in the four weeks leading up to polling day in the Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections.

The Hope and Courage Collective monitor of the by-elections found that Labour's Helen Ogbu experienced "sustained racist and xenophobic abuse", while Sinn Féin's Janice Boylan faced "misogynistic attacks" online. 

The two, along with Social Democrat Daniel Ennis, were the main targets of online targeting, including what researchers called "campaigns targeting them which sought to damage their reputations and, in some cases, challenge their legitimacy as candidates".

Researchers said that interference and smears were the most prevalent form of harmful activity during the election period, accounting for 54% of all recorded incidents. Election integrity narratives represented 28% of all recorded incidents and sought to erode confidence in the electoral process. 

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Claims that foreign-born, or naturalised Irish candidates had “no right” to run framed democratic participation itself as illegitimate, they added. The researchers added that many of the posts came from a small number of accounts.

"Narratives were seeded and amplified through networks across X and Facebook; one US-based cross-platform anonymous account was responsible for 21% of all content recorded. Harassment and intimidation were a persistent feature of the campaign environment, particularly targeting women and a candidate from a minority community, Helen Ogbu."

The investigation identified three key accounts that promoted mis/disinformation during the by-election campaign period. These accounts played distinct but interconnected roles in amplifying narratives and shaping hostile online discourse targeting candidates and electoral integrity.

One account based in the US, but presenting itself as from Ireland, "appeared to test, repeat and refine narratives, experimenting with increasingly provocative angles designed to maximise engagement online".

"Helen Ogbu (born in Nigeria), Sheila Garrity (born in Canada), and Denman Rooke (born in the USA) were all targeted with the claim they had "no right" to run in the election. The disinformation ecosystem supporting these narratives frequently recycled old or misleading material to manufacture suspicion and distrust," researchers said.

Edel McGinley, executive director with Hope and Courage Collective, said: “What we are seeing is not simply robust political debate or criticism of candidates. 

These are co-ordinated and harmful narratives designed to intimidate individuals, spread fear and undermine confidence in democratic participation.

"Particularly concerning is the extent to which racist and misogynistic narratives are becoming normalised online. Candidates from minority backgrounds and women continue to face disproportionate levels of abuse and intimidation.”

The Hope and Courage Collective called for the Government to give the Electoral Commission clear powers to monitor, investigate and respond to online disinformation and co-ordinated manipulation during elections.

• Paul Hosford is deputy political editor at the Irish Examiner