Aras watch: 'Malicious smears' targeting Jim Gavin appear to be first signs of outside far-right interference in an Irish election

"Fianna Fáil presidential candidate has said he will fight the 'waves of online abuse' Dirty tricks in presidential campaigns are nothing new. In fact, they been an integral and influential part of campaigns here. But the "malicious smears" that Jim Gavin is fighting appear to be the first serious effort at far-right interference from outside the State in an Irish election."

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Waves of online abuse and malicious smears have targeted Jim Gavin during the presidential campaign. Dirty tricks have long been an integral and influential feature of presidential contests. The current smears appear to involve far-right interference originating from outside the State, marking a notable escalation. Online campaigns and external actors now pose a tangible threat to the integrity of an Irish election. Heightened vigilance and countermeasures are necessary to address coordinated disinformation and harassment directed at political candidates.

Read at Independent