Online Attacks Targeted Key By-Election Candidates

A chilling new report reveals a coordinated online assault targeting Dublin Central and Galway West by-election candidates, with one US-based account alone responsible for over 20% of harmful content. The Hope and Courage Collective documented more than 50 instances of hate, harassment, and disinformation across major platforms, focusing heavily on Sinn Féin’s Janice Boylan, Labour’s Helen Ogbu, and Social Democrats’ Daniel Ennis. Attacks ranged from racist slurs questioning their right to run, to fabricated claims of election fraud—including dead people voting and foreign interference—some gaining tens of thousands of views. While offline intimidation was less severe, social media remains a weaponized battleground, spreading fear and eroding trust in democracy through increasingly toxic, misogynistic, and racist narratives. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/49e86950552cbddd