Former Fianna Fáil election hopeful Gráinne Seoige has issued a statement criticising politically motivated commentary of her candidacy in last year’s general election, and outlined the trauma fake pornography caused to her.
She claims her successful running mate in Galway West, new TD John Connolly, made an incorrect assertion to this newspaper earlier this month.
“I accepted the result last year, congratulated John Connolly, and withdrew from political life. I have no intention of contesting any future election, or the future bye-election, in Galway West. But it is simply not acceptable for inaccurate, or selectively presented assertions about me to continue nearly a year later,” she said.
Earlier this month, Deputy Connolly said Fianna Fáil paid for Seoige’s election posters to be erected, but the Spiddal-based broadcaster says this work was carried out by local volunteers and supporters.
"I was pondering how money declared to SIPO [Standards in Public Office] was spent, and if I got it wrong about posters, then I am happy to correct the record," Connolly told the Advertiser.
Seoige added that the people of Galway face challenges including overcrowding in UCHG, a housing crisis, traffic gridlock, school-place shortages, transport issues and pressures across Connemara and the Gaeltacht. "They deserve representatives focused on solutions, not the revisiting of old campaign narratives.”
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Separately, Seoige said the most devastating part of her campaign was the circulation of AI-generated pornographic images of her, via WhatsApp, across Galway, during the election.
“This was a crime under Coco’s Law (the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, 2020 ). It was a deeply violating and profoundly traumatising act. It also exposed serious gaps in Irish legislation, the limited capacity of Coimisiún na Meán, and the failure of big tech companies headquartered in Ireland to protect victims,” she said.
The Connemara native has called on anyone with information to contact Mill Street Garda Station.
She added that she will be calling on Commissioner Michael McGrath, who holds responsibility for election protection in the EU, to urgently examine systemic, regulatory failures highlighted by her experience.
She said the Irish government has a responsibility to protect young girls, their parents and women across Galway and Ireland, who might consider putting themselves forward for political life.
