Donegal GAA to take hardline approach on social media abusers

The Donegal County Board will take whatever steps are necessary to curb the torrent of “unwarranted online abuse” - stating that penalties will range from warnings to suspensions.

The matter was discussed at a recent meeting of the executive where the Donegal CCC (Competitions Controls Committee) were handed the responsibility to act on behalf of the Management Committee and decide on the necessary penalties.

In 2018, an individual was handed a 26-week suspension from attending matches and having any involvement in GAA activities.

This year, in the wake of Donegal’s Ulster final loss to Derry in May, some of the online abuse that was directed at members of the team and management was termed as “unacceptable” with a “sizable quantity” of online posts being recorded and then deleted.

Ed Byrne, secretary of the Donegal CCC insisted there will be a hardline approach taken in line with the GAA’s Social Media Strategy to deal with offenders, although stressed that the issue is centred on personal abuse and not criticism of the performance of players, managers or officials.

“Some people, because they are in possession of a social media account, feel as though they have the right to abuse not only people involved in the GAA, but their family members, their partners and friends,” he said. “Attacking family, partners and friends is simply not on.

“The aim of the GAA is for players, managers, officials and supporters to enjoy the games and I fully accept that people will go online and discuss, even criticise, the performance of players, referees, managers or the county board.”

A lot of the offensive posts are hiding behind pseudo accounts and do not have the courage to post in their own name, according to Byrne.

“If people want to spark a discussion then do it,” he said. “Everyone is entitled to an opinion or to debate a matter. I remember saying as PRO at Convention in 2017 ‘Unless you’re prepared to paint it onto the gable of your house, then don’t press that button and post it on social media.’ That’s the same message I am giving today.

“It is simply unacceptable and there is also a huge issue with people editing photographs that have been lifted from players or management in personal capacities, by Photoshop to suit their own agendas.

“I would also urge genuine people not to get embroiled in online discussion with these faceless accounts. We have looked in depth at some of these accounts and we’re pretty sure in a lot of cases who are behind them. We wouldn’t stand for the level of abuse being hurled from the sidelines so we’re not standing for it online. This is detrimental to our hopes of encouraging young players or referees or managers to take part in the sport.

Declan Bonner, who stepped down as manager of the Donegal senior team last month, admitted his family were fully behind his decision.

“I don’t do social media, but I hear about it and a lot of it is fairly horrendous,” he said last month. “I have a 27-year-old, a 25-year-old, a 23-year-old and an 18-year-old and they are all in the circle that sees it, hears it and it cannot be good. My family are delighted that I am stepping away.”

County chairman Mick McGrath has given his “total support to the CCC in regards rooting out the social media keyboard warriors.”

Anyone who has had issues with personal online abuse are urged to contact the county board.

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