Laois Fine Gael councillor received death threats over council house tenant views

An outspoken Laois Fine Gael councillor claims people have threatened to kill her after saying some people in council housing have never worked and never will.

Cllr Aisling Moran went national with her claims on The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk on February 17 in the wake of comments she made at the January meeting of Laois County Council.

She told the broadcaster that she said she has received hundreds of emails, calls and text messages in the weeks since.

“95% of them were people saying thank you for standing up for us; it’s great to see someone who is not afraid to say the truth.

“But then I got some really nasty comments and a couple of threats.

“Then there were people who rang me who I spoke to and they started off by shouting and roaring and then, after I spoke to them and explained the situation, they calmed down and some actually even agreed with me,” she said.

Cllr Moran said her wife and children were very nervous after the threats came in but said it is not the first time she has been abused.

“People target you personally and not about what you do, you know? That’s wrong,” she said.

She said she aims to stay in politics despite the abuse.

“I love it,” she said. “I love helping people; I love being able to solve a problem.

“I would like to stay in politics but it is very nerve-wracking on your family and I think family should be kept out of these sorts of things.”

The threats and support came after the Leinster Express / Laois Live reported on Cllr Moran's comments in Laois County Council.

'Awful lot' of council tenants 'never worked' claims Laois Fine Gael councillor

“There are a number of people, not all, who aren’t working, never worked, their parents never worked, and their children will never work and they’re sitting at home, and the people who are going to work are paying for their house, their fuel allowance and everything else, it has to change.

“There are people in council houses who need every bit of help they can get and they are genuine. But there are an awful lot of people who are not genuine and living in council houses. We need to look after the people who are getting up for work,” she said at the meeting.

Cllr Moran told Mr Kenny that she “completely” stands by these comments – but added that she "didn’t mean to offend anybody”.

Laois gardaí charge young man with sexual assault of child and having child porn

“I’m not talking about people with disabilities. I’m not talking about couples, where one person decides to work and one stays at home to save on childcare; I’m not talking about retired people or people who can’t go to work.

“I am talking about able-bodied people who are well able to work but choose the dole as a career option,” she said.

She refused to withdraw her comments several times but refused.

Fine Gael has declined to comment on Cllr Moran's comments in Laois County Council or if the comments were reflective of party policy.