DONEGAL Senator Eileen Flynn returned to the Seanad chamber yesterday afternoon. Many anticipated she would use the opportunity to address the bombardment of online harassment she has faced in the past week.
Her colleagues used their speaking time to share comments of support and condemnation. But when it was her turn to speak, Senator Flynn instead used the opportunity to advocate for others.
She spoke passionately about the underfunding of Kinship Care and the 12,000 children in Ireland raised by relatives and friends after a parent has passed away.
She spoke to the Donegal News and explained that she wasn’t going to give the “bullies” the reaction they were waiting for.
“These people are bullies and I am not going to let them get any more publicity from me,” she said.
Viral video
The Ardara woman became the centre of online abuse when a video of remarks she made in the Seanad about the recent fuel protests went viral last week.
During the clip she said she would not attend any protests where the Irish flag was being flown, as it has become a symbol exploited by members of the far right who she claimed were trying to hijack the protests.
“They showed nine seconds out of a seven minute video, and it’s unfortunate so many people jumped on it,” said Senator Flynn.
“Obviously I am not ashamed of the Irish flag, I have stood with it numerous times, but what I am ashamed of is how a lot of protests recently have been hijacked by bullies.”
She spoke of attending protests and seeing flags saying ‘get them out’, aimed at migrants, and compared this to the torment Travellers faced for many years from people of similar political ideologies.
“I am old enough to remember a house being burnt down in Donegal and I am old enough to remember politicians saying Travellers should all be sent to Spike Island,” she said.
She pointed out that the Taoiseach Micheál Martin came out with a similar statement on Sunday regarding the tricolour.
As well as attacking her for being a Traveller, the comments also attacked her physical appearance and the way she spoke.
Senator Flynn has dyslexia and is outspoken on her condition and encourages young people struggling with similar issues.
Addressing the impact the hurtful comments have had on her family, she said she is relieved her children can’t see them.
“I tell my children every day, ‘don’t be a bully darling and don’t let anyone bully you’, so I have to stand by that. I am not going to allow these people to bully me for staying true to my values.”
Fear
Unfortunately the abusive comments have caused a lot of fear for her, particularly regarding her two young children.
“I am terrified for my life. To tell the crèche to be extra vigilant with my child or for the local garda to tell me he’s keeping an extra eye on my children, that’s no way to live,” she said.
Senator Flynn spoke warmly about the thousands of messages of support from across the world, including from many farmers, since the bombardment of abuse started last week.
As well as her colleagues in Leinster House, many organisations have also shared their support of Senator Eileen Flynn, including the National Women’s Council of Ireland: “We need more principled politicians like Eileen, not less. But women face significant barriers to entering and staying in politics, including online and offline abuse.
“The abuse is compounded for Traveller women and women from other minority groups.”