Gardaí are advising councillors, candidates and political staff in the Northern Sound region working towards June's election, to take a number of steps to ensure their safety.
More than 60% of local councillors say they have experienced threats, intimidation, or harassment between 2021 and 2023, with several sitting and prospective councillors facing abuse and intimidation in the run up to polling day. An Garda Siochána have released a new document with advice for those taking part in the election.
Local representatives have faced verbal abuse, threats, harassment and physical assault, with the majority of contact made via social media. As canvassing continues ahead of June's local and European elections, several candidates from across the country have described incidents ranging from verbal abuse to physical assault.
The new guide from Gardaí is designed to help candidates protect themselves, their families, friends and political staff. It features advice such as avoiding canvassing alone, planning responses for contentious interactions, avoiding entering homes and keep track of all team members. Aftercare and debriefing of volunteers and candidates once canvassing is finished is also very important according to the document. When it comes to online threats and abuse, those seeking election or those running the digital side of things are urged to set up new accounts for email, social media and phone, with two factor authorization vital.
Candidates are asked to keep detailed records of any threat, harassment or abuse and to contact Gardaí if they have any concerns. However, despite more than 25% of threats being reported to An Garda Síochána, only 3.5% resulted in prosecutions.
