Presidential election faced online threats amid sustained attacks on democracy worldwide

Unwary voters could easily be incited to act on the basis of plausible misinformation spread online via social media, write Ciarán O’Connor and Edel McGinley

President-elect Catherine Connolly arriving for a courtesy call to President Michael D Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin last Wednesday. Voters could have been gulled by fake videos purporting to come from Ms Connolly circulating online before polling day. Picture: Tony Maxwell/Maxwell’s

• 'It is with great regret that I announce the withdrawal of my candidacy and the ending of my campaign.'

• 'I’m a Freemason. I will kick all you Irish out. I love money, the bank, and Hamas.'