Labour: Media outlet was 'intimidatory' towards Galway mayor Helen Ogbu

15/5/2026

The Labour Party has claimed the actions of a media outlet in doorstepping the new Galway Mayor Helen Ogbu were “intimidatory and unacceptable”.

In a statement on Monday evening, the party said it wanted to express its “serious concerns at the tactics used by a mainstream media outlet, particularly at a time when far right agitation is becoming increasingly evident across our communities”.

Labour began its statement saying it is aware of a typo that appeared on a webpage regarding the timeline of Ms Obgu, its candidate in the recent by-election in Galway West, seeking asylum in Ireland.

“We received a media inquiry on this matter on Friday afternoon after 3pm, at a time when Cllr Ogbu was away at a family wedding,” it said. “Once the error was brought to our attention, the webpage was removed.

“The Labour Party provided a response to the media outlet on Monday afternoon.

“Despite receiving that response within one working day, and subsequent to receiving the response, a journalist arrived unannounced at Cllr Ogbu’s home today with a photographer, and they both knocked persistently on her door and also that of her neighbours.” 

 It said that Galway City Council colleagues and elected members were also contacted by the media outlet.

The party said Ms Ogbu is subject to significant racist abuse and harassment on an ongoing basis, and referenced her husband being assassinated in Nigeria “for his involvement in democratic politics”.

“In those circumstances, doorstepping Helen at her home in this way, over a query about a typo that had already been answered within one working day, was unnecessary behaviour,” it said.

“It was intimidatory and unacceptable, particularly given the fact that it is public knowledge that her late husband was murdered for his political activity.” 

 Ms Ogbu became the Mayor of Galway earlier this month. She was first elected to the council two years ago, and has been living in Ireland for two decades.

In the by-election in May, she came third with 11.4% of first preference votes as the seat was won by Fine Gael’s Seán Kyne.