‘Disgusting’ comments in wake of garda ramming

Councillors were united in their outrage at “disgusting” comments made online in the wake of a garda ramming incident in the Ballybay area last Thursday. One person has been remanded in custody on charges in connection with the alleged incident, which made national headlines.

“Do you want law and order in our country, or the law of the jungle?”

This question was directed by Independent member of the Monaghan Municipal District, Cllr Seamus Treanor, towards the “keyboard warriors” who, he said, had posted “disgusting remarks” on social media in the aftermath of an incident in the Tullycorbet area last Thursday, April 16. It resulted in two gardaí being hospitalised after a patrol car was rammed.

Cllr Treanor, the Leas Cathaoirleach, condemned the incidents and wished the two injured Garda members a speedy recovery.

He praised the Gardaí who serve their citizens 24 hours a day and said something must be done about anonymous Facebook accounts, some of which published personal attacks on gardaí.

He proposed that the MD write to Superintendent Pat O’Connell of Monaghan Garda Station expressing concern and anger at what happened.

Cllr Alan Johnston (FG) said there is no place for such violence against the Gardaí who are there to protect and serve their community.

Cllr Raymond Aughey appealed to anyone with information on the incidents to pass it on to the Gardaí, saying the incident could have proved fatal.

Cllr Niamh McCooey (SF) described attacks on gardaí as absolutely disgusting. Monaghan is limited in Garda numbers and the operation to find the suspects had diverted Garda resources from local towns and villages, she said.

Associating, Cllr Pauric Clerkin (FG) referred to the online abuse of Gardaí in other parts of the country. He thought there was “an outrageous free-for-all” on social media platforms and a conversation is needed about the abuse people are facing.

Cllr Clerkin added that a tougher approach to crime, and perhaps the building of another prison, are also needed.

Sinn Fein's Bronagh McAree (SF) also felt that online abuse has escalated. “It is not good enough that people can abuse others online and call for violence and hate,” she told the meeting.

Cllr McAree also stated that there seems to be a cohort of people in the country that consistently infiltrate peaceful protests and push forward their own agenda, which seems racist in manner.

Dumbfounded

At the Ballybay-Clones MD meeting on the same day, Cllr Seán Gilliland led the condemnation. The Fine Gael representative sent his best wishes to the female Garda from Castleblayney station, who is still in hospital after what he described as “a near fatal incident”.

A former Garda himself, Cllr Gilliland commented that the incident was “a bit too close to home” and also happened in “the middle of the day”. He described the people of Tullycorbet as being “dumbfounded” by the events that unfolded in their community.

“What transpired is not acceptable. People in the community know and trust their local gardaí, who are approachable. They are absolutely disgusted by this; I myself am absolutely disgusted by this.”

Cllr Gilliland further described the comments beneath news stories about the incident as “absolutely vile and unthinkable.”

He added: “These trolls definitely need to be called out and investigated. Any action that can be taken should be taken.”

Cllr Gilliland proposed a vote of confidence in the local Gardaí and Emergency Services to let them know they have the confidence and support of the MD.

“Law and order must be maintained or we are in a very dark place,” Cllr Gilliland concluded, adding that gardaí keep communities safe.

Cathaoirleach of Ballybay-Clones Municipal District Sinéad Flynn (SF) suggested that a lot of the commentary came from “bots”.

Her party colleague, Cllr Pat Treanor also voiced support for the gardaí and condemned the “brazenness” of those posting hateful comments on social media.

Cllr Flynn suggested that education is key to mending the ways or keyboard warriors.

Cllr Richard Truell concurred suggesting some commentators online need to “get a hobby!”

Condemning the commentary as “desperate”, the Fine Gael councillor agreed elected reps are often targets of this type of abuse: “We put ourselves on a ballot paper, we do our best for the community and for the people of this region.”

All the members of both MDs wished the injured Gardaí a full and speedy recovery and expressed hopes that justice would be served in the matter following due process.