Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
END THE THREATS
Sinn Fein blasts ‘malicious’ abuse
MICHELLE O’Neill has branded threats against public figures in Northern Ireland as unacceptable.
Sinn Fein’s vice-president and the Stormont deputy first minister said there can be no place for the malicious harassment online and daubed on walls in Belfast.
It includes graffiti threats against journalists Patricia Devlin and Allison Morris, threats against Irish international footballer James McClean, and “vile” social media abuse directed at party colleague Martina Anderson.
Ms O’Neill said: “There has been a concerning increase in malicious online harassment, threats and abuse recently directed at public figures.
“All of these threats and abuse are absolutely unacceptable.
“A free press is central to a democratic society and journalists must be protected from the threat of violence and harassment in carrying out their important work.” She will raise the matter at the Assembly tomorrow.
Ms O’Neill added: “Where members of the public have information in regards to such abuse it should be reported to police.”
Foyle Assembly member Ms Anderson said she had reported “vile and despicable” abuse received on social media to police.
Republic international James McClean and his wife Erin have spoken out in the last couple of days about abuse their family have received over the past nine years, which have included death threats.
There has been widespread condemnation of threatening graffiti targeting Irish News security correspondent Allison Morris.
Earlier this month, Sunday World journalist Patricia Devlin was the subject of similarly sinister graffiti.
Where the public have information it should be reported MICHELLE O’NEILL YESTERDAY