Donegal councillor feared for her safety after harassment calls - Donegal Daily

A Donegal County Councillor says she was left concerned for her safety after an unknown man repeatedly contacted her with disturbing calls.Sinn Féin member Cllr...

A Donegal County Councillor says she was left concerned for her safety after an unknown man repeatedly contacted her with disturbing calls.

Sinn Féin member Cllr Dakota Nic Mheanman alerted gardaí after being targetted by a man who rang her repeatedly from a private number and who made alarming comments of a sexual nature.

The Ballybofey representative later learned that female councillors across the country had been subjected to similar calls in what has been described as a targeted campaign against women in local government.

Cllr Nic Mheanman said the calls began on Wednesday when she answered a private number, as she often does in case a constituent is trying to contact her.

The caller claimed to be from Donegal before telling her that he wanted to confess to an alleged crime of a sexual nature.

Cllr Nic Mheanman said the caller made her extremely uncomfortable.

The caller rang back within a minute and continued attempting to contact her throughout the day and later that evening.

Cllr Nic Mheanman initially believed she was being individually targetted.

She later received a message through the women’s caucus of the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, informing members that female councillors in other parts of Ireland had received similar calls.

“It was reassuring to know that it wasn’t a single, isolated attack, but obviously it has to be called out and condemned for what it was,” she said.

Cllr Nic Mheanman learned that the perpetrator was not choosing women based on their politics, but solely because of their gender.

She said female councillors are "easy targets" because their phone numbers are available online.

Cllr Nic Mheanman praised Gardaí in Ballybofey for their response and said the AILG had also provided strong support to affected representatives.

Following the incident, Cllr Nic Mheanman has decided that she will no longer answer calls from private, blocked or withheld numbers.

She assured constituents that issues raised privately with her would remain confidential as normal unless they wanted the matter brought into the public domain.

Michael Langan helps students find ‘safe space’ through Man United Foundation role

“I don’t want to be in that position again where I feel very, very uncomfortable on the phone and subsequently have to go to the Gardaí,” she said.

“Especially as a younger female elected representative with a family, it is not something you want to be feeling as part of your job.”

Cllr Nic Mheanman also stressed that the vast majority of people who contact councillors are respectful and genuine.

“We are speaking out because we want women to know they are not alone,” she said.

She said the incidents must not discourage women from entering politics or serving their communities.

“You cannot let this discourage women from joining politics. It really does need to be called out in society when this is a targeted harassment campaign against women.

“When you sign up to be someone in the public eye, you sign up to be accountable for what you do.

Cllr Nic Mheanman said she had also received strong support from her Sinn Féin colleagues and fellow councillors across Donegal, as well as from members of the AILG women’s caucus.

100% Redress Party member Joy Beard said the targetted campaign is “deeply concerning”.

The Buncrana councillor said: “No one should have to endure sexually explicit harassment or intimidation simply because they have chosen to serve their community. Every councillor has the right to carry out their public duties safely and without fear."

AILG President Cllr Aengus O’Rourke said no female elected representative should face harassment, intimidation or abuse because she had chosen to serve her community.

“The reports we have received are deeply concerning and point to what appears to be a deliberate campaign targeting women in public office,” he said.

“Women in local government should never have to accept harassment as part of their role.”

The matter has been reported to An Garda Síochána, while the AILG has contacted every female councillor in Ireland with guidance on screening calls and reporting incidents. Members of the public are being asked to avoid contacting female councillors from private or withheld numbers where possible.

Instead, constituents are advised to leave a voicemail, send a text or email, or use the contact details published by their local authority.