An Irish author has said she received hundreds of abusive messages online after one of her articles was featured on the Junior Cert English paper.
Aoife Dooley said she was not informed her article would be on the paper and was initially pleased to hear it had been featured.
She said the content of the article was also changed without her consent – with the word “poxes” changed to “idiots.”
The piece jokingly takes aim at the stresses of public transport – complaining about people who eat smelly food on packed buses.
The paper pic.twitter.com/WPe8xQjkVo
— Aoife Dooley (@Aoife_Dooley) June 5, 2019
Ms Dooley took to Twitter overnight to say that she has received hundreds of vile messages, including threats of violence and rape.
“All up for a laugh; memes are funny but some of the abuse I’m getting is nothing short of vile,” she wrote.
“Honestly it has gone too far now and all over an article I wrote a long time ago that I never knew would be in the Junior Cert.”
She has called on parents to talk to their children and “explain why it’s not funny or OK.”
The Department of Education and The State Examination Commission said they are aware of the matter.
2. I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t know the article would come up in the JC & I didn’t know the wording would be changed. Anyone under the illusion that I’m ‘looking for attention’ needs to ask themselves why the fuck would anyone want THIS sort of attention
— Aoife Dooley (@Aoife_Dooley) June 6, 2019
3. This is really emotional for me (especially because Autistic) and I’m extremely overwhelmed by this whole situation and it’s really making me consider the work I do and if it’s worth it at all after this. It’s had a massive impact on my mental health and well-being
— Aoife Dooley (@Aoife_Dooley) June 6, 2019
