Fine Gael is facing fresh criticism today, after users believe a candidate was personally being attacked in their latest online ad campaign.
Fine Gael launched a new ad during their election campaign, that suggests Sinn Féin would ‘destroy’ the economy and ‘kill’ jobs.
They also chose to print this motto on a campaign image of Rathfarnham based Sinn Féin candidate Sarah Holland – whose father was murdered in 2007.
Holland’s father was murdered in 2007 when a local gang of youths tried to steal his van. He was stabbed, receiving fatal injuries.
Holland, who is originally from Belfast, said her father’s attack was what prompted her to join the party.
Keeping her family’s history in mind, Twitter users voiced their anger and concern at employing what looks like shock tactics and cruel wording that are personally aimed at a candidate’s loss:
Don’t like these FG FB ads.Way too personal both to the candidate n also creepy that they know where you live #ge16 pic.twitter.com/naDIojZc6q
— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) February 13, 2016
My final word on this.Using the NI Troubles for political gain is disgusting & cheap. Peace is fragile and needs to be protected not abused
— Senator G Craughwell (@GCraughwell) February 13, 2016
Her father, respected by all was murdered and Fine Gael run this ad about her using the words kill and destroy. https://t.co/wIXSFzEoBk
— Damien Mulley (@damienmulley) February 14, 2016
Seems we have gone from 0 – 60 when it comes to American style online attack ads. Do these work in Ireland? #ge16 https://t.co/wusuBRRt4R
— Bríd Murphy (@Murphskie) February 14, 2016
@electionlit Not on, in fairness. @VoteHollandSF doesn’t deserve that. She’s always been courteous in any debate I’ve had with her
— Paul Anthony Ward (@PaulAnthonyWard) February 14, 2016
Mayor of South Dublin County Council Sarah took the advertising in her stride, tweeting:
@electionlit jasus #FineGael are running scared and they can’t hide it. I think this might be another own goal. Tory spindoctor fail ?
— Sarah Holland (@VoteHollandSF) February 14, 2016
It looks like the gloves are off…
