Candidates Targeted With Death Threats Amid Surge In Online Abuse During 2024 Elections

Tuesday, 2 September 2025 16:51

By Martin Osborne

Coimisiún na Meán says the findings highlight serious concerns about the extent of online toxicity, and the potential to undermine democratic participation.

Over a fifth of candidates who used social media for campaigning in the 2024 local and general elections received online death threats or threats of serious harm.

Coimisiún na Meán says the findings highlight serious concerns about the extent of online toxicity, and the potential to undermine democratic participation.

The report released today found a combined 95 percent of candidates used social media during the elections.

59 per cent of General Election candidates reporting having a negative online experience, while the figure was 48 percent for Local Election participants.

False information to damage a candidates reputation was the most common form of abuse, followed by hurtful or degrading comments.

Immigration was the top reason candidates in both elections were targeted, followed by LGBTQ+ issues, and women’s issues.

Female candidates reported significantly higher rates of anxiety in both elections, while explicit or implied threats to the family members of both males and females represented a major source of anxiety and guilty for several candidates.

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