A Fine Gael Councillor has said she feels angry after she and a number of her female colleagues received “very disturbing” calls from an anonymous caller. 

Last week, Clare County Councillor Mary Howard was “potting around” during the hot weather. 

She came into her kitchen and saw that an unknown number was calling her phone. 

Typically, she would not answer such a call but decided to pick up as she had previously received calls from elderly constituents with urgent problems from blocked numbers.

After confirming that she was indeed Councillor Mary Howard, the caller proceeded to speak to her in an abusive manner. 

“I don't want to give the whole conversation more air power,” Cllr Howard told Lunchtime Live. 

“But it was very disturbing and he wanted to be challenged. 

“So, I eventually stopped the call, I just couldn't listen to this anymore.

“The phone continued to ring for the next [while when] I was in and out filling the watering can. 

“I actually felt very vulnerable because it occurred to me, is he across the road? Is he watching me? Where is this guy? Who is he?” 

After she texted into a WhatsApp group for Fine Gael members, Cllr Howard realised that “quite a few of us” had been targeted by the caller. 

“I met that kind of information with some relief, thinking I am not the only person, but also with anger, thinking who on earth is this horrible individual?” she said. 

“And so throughout the night, up until almost two o'clock in the morning, a number of us were in touch with each other. 

“I didn't sleep that night because I kept thinking about some of our newer colleagues who are only elected two years or so and they have young children.”

Cllr Howard added that all the women who have been targeted now feel “incredibly vulnerable”.

Main image: A woman holding a smartphone with incoming call. Picture by: Alamy.com.