‘Nastiest election I’ve been a part of’, says mayoral candidate

ONE OF the candidates in the race to become Limerick’s first directly elected mayor says it’s been the “nastiest election” she’s been a part of.

Social Democrats councillor, Elisa O’Donovan, says there has been “sabotage” of candidates.

She herself saw the WhatsApp instant messaging service on her mobile phone disabled. It came after people reported her mobile number to be ‘spam’ to WhatsApp, whose representatives acted to block her from accessing it.

She posted about the incident on X, formerly known as Twitter. In response to a user of X who questioned whether it could be “sabotage”, Cllr O’Donovan wrote: “Of course. It’s been happening throughout this campaign behind the scenes. The nastiest election I have ever been a part of with sabotage of other candidates.”

Her comments come in a week when the 15 hopefuls to become Limerick’s first directly elected mayor were under the national spotlight, thanks to an RTÉ Upfront special, broadcast live from the Lime Tree Theatre at Mary Immaculate College in the city.

A spokesperson for the State broadcaster said Monday night’s show reached a television audience of 343,000 people.

On top of this, almost 5,000 people had streamed the debate online on the RTÉ Player.

READ MORE: Taoiseach hits out at 'disgusting' threats against Limerick mayoral candidate

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris has condemned the actions of those who attempt to intimidate or threaten candidates seeking election to political roles.

Mr Harris - whose own home has been targeted in the past - was in Limerick on Sunday to campaign with Fine Gael’s mayoral election hopeful, Cllr Daniel Butler.

Gardai are investigating harassment directed at the Raheen councillor, who has admitted he had considered pulling out of the mayoral race as a result.

“I think the threats made against Daniel Butler and his family and his family home are disgusting and an attack on democracy.

"I have full solidarity to Daniel, to his family and children,” said Mr Harris. “How dare these thugs behave in such a fashion,” he added.