Abusive messages, damage to personal property & death threats: The Abuse of NI Councillors

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More than three quarters of councillors in Northern Ireland have received abuse or intimidation, according to a survey by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association. Two-thirds of respondents said they had been abused or intimidated on social media, while just over half said it had occurred in person. Reported incidents ranged from abusive messages on social media to damage to personal property, the erection of threatening posters, graffiti, and death threats. Two councillors who have been the victim of intimidation and abuse are Hannah Irwin from Alliance who sits on Ards and North Down Council and the SDLP's Séamas de Faoite who is elected to Belfast City Council. They both joined Good Morning Ulster to share their stories.