Political dissatisfaction is turning to venom

A number of politicians have faced personal and hateful abuse, with the public discourse seeming to revel in and help swell this growing animosity, writes Theresa Reidy 

The announcement that a large number of protesters are going to be charged for their involvement in the protest which had Tánaiste Joan Burton trapped in her car for several hours late last year has put political protest and the public’s attitudes to politicians back in the news.

The line between protest and abuse is difficult to define and ultimately it is the courts who will decide on this case.