Harassing phone calls prompts safety concerns among Galway Councillors

A campaign of "persistent and distressing" phone calls targeting female councillors has been described as "deeply upsetting" after the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) said female elected representatives across the political spectrum had been subjected to repeated anonymous calls containing disturbing and inappropriate sexual comments.

Published 31st Aug 2026, 20:38 BST Iconic A campaign of "persistent and distressing" phone calls targeting female councillors has been described as "deeply upsetting" after the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) said female elected representatives across the political spectrum had been subjected to repeated anonymous calls containing disturbing and inappropriate sexual comments. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

The AILG said the incidents appear to be a targeted campaign of harassment against women serving in local government, adding that all reports received to date had come from female councillors. The matter has been reported to An Garda Síochána.

Galway City Cllr Clodagh Higgins (FG) welcomed the Garda investigation into what she described as a deliberate campaign targeting female public representatives.

“This has been a deeply upsetting experience for many councillors," she said.

"An individual is deliberately targeting female public representatives, obtaining contact details from public websites and repeatedly making anonymous calls throughout the day containing deeply disturbing disclosures that would leave anyone distressed.”

She said the severity of the campaign is such that the investigation has been escalated to the Special Detective Unit.

"I want to sincerely thank Fine Gael, the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) and An Garda Síochána for the support they have provided throughout this difficult period.

“I particularly welcome the decision to have the Special Detective Unit take over the investigation, which reflects the seriousness of what is happening.”

While she has not received this particular call, she said that no one should be subjected to this kind of targeted harassment.

"I hope those responsible are identified and brought to justice as quickly as possible," she said.

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The party advised councillors to consider removing their mobile numbers from public view, use a separate council phone, switch off council phones overnight, avoid withheld numbers and report any incidents to Gardaí.

The harassment campaign has reinforced the precautions many female councillors already take when engaging with the public.

Independent Galway City Cllr Eibhlin Seoighthe said she had not received the calls but said the incidents highlighted broader concerns about the safety of women in public life.

“I don't answer numbers I don't know. If it's important, people will send me a text.

"It opens up that safety question. I've gone to public talks where I've felt unsafe. People can become incited with rage and say really appalling things. Outside of these phone calls, where is the safety net for public representatives?"

Cllr Seoighthe said women in public life often had to assess potential risks and decribed how she routinely scans a room at public meetings for any threat.

"There are things you have to put into place if you've been a victim of those kinds of abuses,” she said.

“I don't reply to comments online or direct messages because you leave yourself open to that vulnerability. I have people ask me to meet them in their homes and I can't do that. I can't put myself at risk.

"It is symptomatic of a wider issue in society and how women are treated. It's getting more scary. People want their local representatives to be more forthcoming, but how can we be when we're subjected to so much hate?"

She said she hoped those responsible would be held accountable.

"My heart goes out to anyone experiencing this,” she said. “It is not right and I hope they find this person and they shouldn't ever be allowed to have a phone again.”

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"Women in local government should never have to accept harassment as part of their role,” he said.

“We are working with An Garda Síochána and will continue to support our female members while encouraging anyone affected to report every incident."

AILG has encouraged any councillor who receives calls of this nature to report each incident to their local Garda Liaison Officer.

They have advised members of the public to avoid contacting councillors from withheld or private numbers and instead leave a voicemail, send a text or email, or use published local authority contact details.

“AILG is also asking members of the public to be mindful that female councillors may now be exercising greater caution when receiving calls from withheld or private numbers,” they said.

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Meanwhile, according to Galway County Cllr Dr Evelyn Francis Parsons (Ind) "no one should have to accept abuse as the price of public service."

Cllr Parsons said the incidents had brought renewed attention to the realities many women in public life already face.

While she had not received the calls herself, concerns about personal safety have influenced how she carried out aspects of her role.

“Like many public representatives, I have become much more conscious of personal security,” she told the Connacht Tribune.

“It has altered my behaviour in practical ways. I am more cautious about answering unfamiliar phone calls, I vet messages more carefully, and I avoid sharing my whereabouts in real time on social media.

“It is unfortunate that these are considerations that increasingly form part of public life. No one should have to accept abuse as the price of public service.”

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"It is profoundly regrettable that some elected representatives continue to face intimidation, harassment and threatening behaviour simply for carrying out their democratic role,” she said.

"No one should have to accept abuse as the price of public service."

She warned that the implications extended beyond those directly affected.

"Healthy democracy depends on people from all backgrounds being willing to stand for election and represent their communities.

“If harassment and intimidation discourage people - particularly women - from participating in public life, then it is not just individual councillors who are affected; it is our democracy itself."

While robust political debate and legitimate scrutiny are an essential part of democracy, she said targeted harassment, threats and abuse could never be normalised or accepted.

"Every public representative has the right to serve their community with dignity, respect and without fear of intimidation," she said.

She welcomed the support and guidance provided by AILG and said she stood in solidarity with affected colleagues.

"We all have a responsibility to foster a culture of respectful civic engagement where disagreement is expressed through debate rather than abuse,” she said.

"Our communities are strongest when good people are encouraged - not discouraged - to step forward and serve. That must remain our shared commitment."

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"Any kind of harassment is not part of the job description - you shouldn't be facing abuse," she said.

"It is really important these incidents are dealt with and that there is a clear message there is no place for this."

Cllr Hoade said organisations such as the Women's Caucus have worked hard to encourage more women to enter politics and warned that intimidation must not become another barrier.

"We are all working hard through the Women's Caucus and different organisations to encourage women to run for politics and participate,” she said.

“You can't have a situation where there are barriers being put in their way."

She welcomed the Garda investigation and hoped those responsible would be identified.

"It is the subject of a serious Garda investigation and I'm hopeful it will be dealt with through that," continued Cllr Hoade.

She also praised the work carried out by AILG in supporting councillors affected by the harassment campaign.

“In addition to their daily work, they reached out to councillors and supported as many people as they could. They deserve great credit for the way they have handled this."

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Mayor of Galway City Cllr Helen Ogbu (Lab), also called for greater protections for local elected representatives after receiving a significant number of unsolicited and inappropriate calls and messages since taking office.

Mayor Ogbu said the issue highlighted the need to make public service safer for everyone.

"Since taking office as Mayor of Galway City, I have received a significant number of unsolicited and inappropriate calls and messages,” she said.

"While I have engaged with An Garda Síochána where appropriate, and I have been grateful for the support of my party, the recent reports of targeted harassment of women councillors across the country are deeply concerning."

Mayor Ogbu said the focus should not be solely on responding to incidents after they occur.

“It is about ensuring that everyone who chooses to serve their community can do so without intimidation or fear.

"I welcome the support shown by the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) and its Women's Caucus, but it is clear that more needs to be done."

She said encouraging greater diversity in politics also meant ensuring elected representatives felt safe.

"If we are serious about encouraging more women, younger people and people from diverse backgrounds to enter politics, we must also be serious about their safety and wellbeing,” she said.

As a result, Mayor Ogbu has called for a national safety framework for local elected representatives.

She has proposed standardised security guidance for all councillors and a dedicated reporting and support service.

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"We need to move beyond reacting to incidents and start proactively planning for them,” she said.

"These are practical measures that would demonstrate a genuine commitment to making local politics safer, more inclusive and more accessible."

Reflecting on her own position as Galway City's first migrant mayor, she said representation should not come at the expense of personal safety.

"As the first migrant Mayor of Galway City, I know how important representation is,” she said.

“Our councils should reflect the diversity of our communities, but people will understandably think twice about entering public life if abuse and intimidation are seen as simply part of the job. They should not be."

Mayor Ogbu said ensuring public representatives could serve safely was a shared responsibility.

"We have a collective responsibility across local government, political parties, the Oireachtas and wider society to ensure that public service is safe, respectful and accessible,” she said.

“No one should have to choose between serving their community and feeling secure.

"I hope this conversation leads to meaningful action so that current and future councillors can carry out their roles with confidence and without fear."