Female Councillors Report Disturbing Phone Calls

More than 70 female councillors across Ireland have reported receiving disturbing and persistent anonymous phone calls containing inappropriate sexual comments, prompting a Garda investigation led by the Special Detective Unit.   The Association of Irish Local Government has described the campaign as a targeted attack on women in public life and a threat to local democracy.   One of those targeted is Ennis Fine Gael councillor Mary Howard, who joined Alan Morrissey to discuss her experience, the impact these calls have had on female representatives, and why she says intimidation cannot be allowed to deter women from public service.  Photo (c) Rafael Abdrakhmanov from Getty Images via Canva