Councillors slam online abuse of Brian Cowen

ONLINE abuse of seriously ill former Taoiseach Brian Cowen has been condemned by councillors in Mayo.

There were calls for enhanced legislation to deal with people posting 'disgraceful' comments about the former Fianna Fáil leader at a meeting of Mayo County Council yesterday (Monday).

Mr. Cowen's party colleague, Councillor Al McDonnell, said it was a disgrace that 'some thugs' found it necessary to go online and be seriously offensive at this difficult time for the Cowen family.

The powers that be would have to look at the rights of people to attack people at a most vulnerable state in their lives.

Agreeing, Councillor Damien Ryan said if ever there was a time for enhanced legislation and censorship in relation to some of the outlandish remarks being made on social media, then now was the time.

Fine Gael Councillor Ger Deere said he called it 'Facelessbook'. A message had to go out that the outrageous commentary would not be tolerated.

Councillor Neil Cruise said Mr. Cowen had worked hard for the country and it was terrible people should make the kind of comments made in his hour of need.