Mayor speaks out after receiving online death threats and homophobic abuse.
LIMERICK’S directly elected mayor says threats against his life have left his family concerned for his safety, as Gardaí gather evidence of online abuse.
Limerick Mayor John Moran has spoken out after receiving death threats and homophobic abuse on social media, saying he is concerned that people are becoming increasingly emboldened to target public representatives.
Mr Moran confirmed that he had contacted An Garda Síochána after a series of abusive comments were directed towards him online, including threats that he should be shot or assassinated.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland on Tuesday morning, Mr Moran said the abuse has intensified over the last week and that his family had become worried about his safety.
The mayor said he was initially hesitant to report the comments, fearing that drawing attention to them might cause further abuse. However, he has since spoken with Gardaí, who are now gathering evidence from social media.
Mr Moran described feeling as though he was “living in parallel universes”, explaining that positive interactions with members of the public contrasted sharply with the hostility he encountered online.
He also highlighted the personal nature of some of the abuse, including homophobic remarks and comments targeting his appearance.
The threats intensified amid public debate surrounding proposed road closures in Limerick City Centre to accommodate Christmas markets. Plans include a proposed six-week closure of The Crescent area of O’Connell Avenue, which has attracted criticism on social media. Similar plans for the month-long ‘Summer in the City’ festival last August caused public controversy.
However, Mr Moran has stressed that disagreement with public policy should not justify personal abuse or threats against elected representatives.
He said he was concerned that the tone of political discourse, both in Ireland and internationally, was encouraging people to express hostility more openly.
The mayor also warned that these situations could discourage others from entering public life, arguing that the issue extends beyond his personal circumstances but to the safety and standing of the mayoral office.
Mr Moran said he now thinks more carefully about travelling to and from public events because of the threats, adding that it was difficult knowing his family were worried about him.
The abuse has also raised concerns about the support available to local elected representatives facing threats. Mr Moran said the office of mayor did not have some of the security and practical supports that might be available to politicians at a national level.
Despite the experience, he said he hoped the situation could be put behind him and called for more respectful public debate.