Racial abuse of local election candidates condemned in Dáil as ‘abhorrent’

The alleged racist abuse of local election candidates has been condemned in the Dáil by the minister with responsibility for holding the polls.

Fergus O'Dowd of Fine Gael raised what has happened to Ejiro O'Hare-Stratton, who first came to Drogheda over 33 years ago with the Medical Missionaries of Mary.

"Last week, the Irish Freedom Party wrote the slogan 'Ireland Is Full' on her poster," he said.

A particular candidate wrote on X "that sometimes the memes just write themselves," he added.

Minister Darragh O'Brien said: "I saw the attacks on the campaign of Ejiro O'Hare-Stratton and the racist tropes that are being at thrown at new Irish people and communities.

"These types of attacks on campaigns and the abuse hurled at candidates, regardless of background, are absolutely abhorrent and should be condemned by every single party and Member of this House."

Mr O'Brien, of Fianna Fáil, said he wanted to wish Ejiro O'Hare-Stratton, who is a member of Fine Gael, "all the very best for her campaign".

He added to Mr O'Diowd: "And tell her to keep going, as I know she will."

Minister O'Brien said that a Fianna Fáil candidate in Limerick, Suzzie O'Deniyi, "puts up with some awful abuse. All of us have to stand united against this type of racial abuse."

Mr O'Dowd said: "A lot of racial abuse is being hurled at candidates of different colour and from different countries and religions.

"It is important that we as a Parliament, regardless of whether we are members of parties or none, stand up and condemn these actions and ensure they are dealt with."

He pointed out that Ms O'Hare-Stratton qualified as a nurse and has a master's degree in hospital administration, and is now clinical nurse manager at the local Lourdes Hospital.

"She got married and has four children. Two are doctors, one is a dentist and her son is in his first year of university and represents Ireland internationally in athletics. She is a fantastic woman."

The candidate also set up a group, Hands 4 Unity, which brings all communities, races and religions together in Drogheda.

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