Jim Gavin hits out at 'vicious smears' after online posts are removed

Kenneth Fox

Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin has hit out against "vicious smears" and "utterly false stories" that have circulated online over the last week.

In a statement released on Monday, Mr Gavin said he refuses to accept that any public or private citizen should have to put up with such abuse online.

Letters have been issued to Meta, X, TikTok, and Coimisiún na Meán, with Meta confirming that several online posts have been taken down on Facebook and Instagram.

Meta also confirmed that several comments that breach their community standards relating to those posts have been removed.

He is still waiting for responses from X and a TikTok, while a response is also being awaited from Coimisiún na Meán.

Mr Gavin said: "Every person in our country knows the real and growing threat posed by online hate and disinformation.

"It is one of the forces driving the growing division and conflict in many societies. It is the cause of mental health issues amongst our young people due to online bullying and harassment.

"We've seen this in recent weeks, where the Ceann Comháirle felt it necessary to convene discussions on confronting abuse and threats towards political figures, and it's something every parent confronts when trying to ensure that their children are safe online.

"I refuse to accept that the price of participating in public life should involve having to put your family and friends through waves of online abuse and malicious smears. This is not the cost of service - it is a failure of our digital culture."