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INTERNET TROLLS WHO engage in ‘sinister’ forms of online abuse should be hit with harsher penalties, Labour TD Seán Kenny has said.
Kenny, who is a member of the Oireachtas Communications and Justice Committees, said that Ireland should follow in the footsteps of the UK, where politicians are considering introducing sentences of up to two years for trolls.
The TD stated that he didn’t have a problem with online messages intended as a “wind up”, but was concerned about trolling that can “cause huge amounts of mental stress for those who experience it”.
“Examples include sending an email threatening someone’s children, or stealing someone’s online identity and setting up accounts in their name on social networking sites in order to impersonate them.
Another element of this sinister form of trolling that particularly concerns me is the way trolls attack women online, insulting them for airing opinions or for work that they do online, often saying the most horrifying of things, and threatening them with physical harm such as rape or other physical assault, even murder in some cases.
Kenny said that the psychological trauma caused by this type of trolling can lead to suicide, noting that the Oireachtas Communications Committee examined the issue in the wake of the 2012 death of Junior Minister Shane McEntee.
The Deputy added that trolls were “cowards”.
A spokesperson for the Department of Communications said that there are already a number of measures in place to deal with abusive online comments.
“The Defamation Act 2009 covers online comment in the same way as it does commentary offline. Similarly, Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 deals with harassment, and provides for a sentence of up to 7 years.
Importantly, while this Act deals with direct communications with someone, it does not deal with indirect communications or messages ‘about’ someone.
They also noted that abuse of the postal or telephone system is covered by the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act 2007.
In late 2013, the then Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte set up the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group to report to him on a range of issues related to online content.
The group made a range of recommendations in June 2014, including that the Communications Regulation Act be amended to include ‘electronic communications’ deemed “grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing”.
An implementation group was set up by the Government in July and will report back by the end of the year.
At present, the Law Reform Commission is also reviewing a number of related issues, including cyber bullying and revenge porn – this may result in a recommendation for further legislative change.
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Amazing achievement. Congratulations Saoirse!
@Smidgen Dublin: it’s a great achievement for her alright but a horrible category this year.. Scarlett Johansson gave an acting tour de force in marriage story, can’t see anyone other than her winning. But, to be nominated is still amazing.
@Peter Cavey: Scarlett deserves to win, but Any Hollywood biopic nominee always gets it so it’ll be Renee
Delighted for her.
A great achievement to have so many nominations at such a young age. She comes across as really down to earth and likeable and represents Ireland well.
Just waiting for all the usual begrudgers to start commenting on her accent…
@Daragh Cassidy: in fairness its you that’s starting it.
@Daragh Cassidy: yeah what is the craic with the accent? Seeing as you mentioned it.
@Daragh Cassidy: Last sentence is your true agenda. Rest of it is filler to get you to said agenda.
Just how little were these women?
I assumed they were all under 5 feet – but I was wrong apparently!!!
Great actress but OMG ladybird was sooooo overhyped ….. sheeyte to be honest .
@Camacsaint: little women is worse. Daytime tv.
@alan: chick flick
Was gobmsacked to learn Bela from Fair City is her Father. Some family of actors. Well done Saoirse.
@Marbles: No hes not it’s another fella from fair city
@Marbles: you’ll need to fact check that one Marbles …
@Marbles: hes not
@Marbles:
I’m sure her real father would be even more shocked!
@Marbles: her father plays Anto Collins in Fair City
@Marbles: Paul Ronan’s acting career started in TV and films since the mid-’90s, notably as Edso Dowling in the Ballykissangel TV series; other TV appearances include Rebel Heart and The Tudors. But yes he did a role as Anto in Fair City a few years back. His most notable achievement along with his wife Monica, was mentoring, nurturing and developing a most fantastic young lady Saoirse.
@Marbles: stay out of the research industry
@Marbles: Best laugh so far this year. I hear Fr Michael Clearly was Donald Trumps third cousin. You might fact check that there Marbles. Gas ticket.
@Charles McCarthy: As they say, don’t ever meet your heroes, you’ll be dissapointed.
The Oscars? Yawn.
Hope she wins it.
@Pat O’Leary: couldn’t give a s**t.Her wiining won’t butter my parsnips.
Joker deserves to clean up including best actor Oscar for JP
Some achievement well done on a side note can’t see Joaquin Phoenix getting best actor after his rambling expletive laden speech at the Golden Globes .
@Bass demon: That’d be a shame. Incredible film. The cinematography was superb too.
@Bass demon: they don’t vote on best or worst acceptance speeches -which is just as well or half the oscars won would be taken back by now – he will win it because the acting in the Joker was great – he just owned the screen and would be a worthy winner in my opinion
@Dave Hammond: Not saying he isn’t worthy of it but with these PC laden shows they like the winner to keep it simple and thank God and their mother. However he might pull a Marlon Brando and send Greta Thunberg to accept the award.
@Dave Hammond: they reckon Mikey Rourke ruined his chances of an Oscar after his acceptance speech at either the Baftas or Golden Globes, can’t remember which
@Bass demon: Give him a script and he can make you believe anything. When he’s not acting he can’t string a sentence together.
Always the bridesmaid unfortunately. Not her fault….great actor
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: Don’t worry. She’ll get a Lifetime Achievement Oscar by the time she’s 35.
Fantastic to see 4 nods for Parasite – Bong Joon Ho is one of the greatest directors in the world in the last 15 years!
Great….not… saw her in an interview a few years ago… patronizing and annoying…
No nomination for De Niro?
@Cowboy Paddy: For what? Pesci can act DeNiro into a banbox.
@Cowboy Paddy: Thought Pacino stoke the show tbh, de Niro was de Niro and Pesci just stumbled thru it, have to say Joker 9 nominations!!! Thought it was a pile of shite…most left cinema with me said it was crap.
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