Former chief medical officer Tony Holohan has condemned previous “unacceptable” social media attacks as he confirmed he will not run in the upcoming presidential election.
Dr Holohan said he made his decision after reflecting on the experiences he and his family endured in recent years, particularly the abuse they faced on social media.
“You don’t get to have a prominent role in public life without having people who will have a variety of different opinions on that and find ways of making those opinions known,” Mr Holohan said, speaking on RTÉ Radio One.
“Sometimes that strayed into areas that, for me, would have been unacceptable. I’ve had protests outside my house during the course of covid that weighed heavily on my children.”
Dr Holohan also cited abusive comments he received after his wife’s death.
“I’ve had people put comments on social media that they’re glad your wife – and using much more colourful language than that – is dead, and things like that,” he added.
“My children have had to see all of those things.”
He said negativity and abuse have increased in public discourse and stressed the need for accountability.
“I think, therefore, we all have a responsibility to see what is it that we can each individually do to stop sliding further down into the darkness,” Mr Holohan said.
Dr Holohan blamed “individuals who take it upon themselves to appoint themselves as journalists” and “hide behind aliases”, accusing them of wrapping themselves in the Irish tricolour while using it as “a symbol of division”.
The former CMO said he believed there was a “pathway” to securing a presidential nomination through local authorities.
Questions about his handling of the covid 19 pandemic, CervicalCheck and a botched secondment to Trinity College would have arisen during a possible campaign.
He confirmed early on Monday he would not be standing, saying he intended to protect his family from “personal abuse”.
Dr Holohan confirmed his decision in a statement, saying he had received several approaches from people urging him to run.
“After a lot of careful consideration and reflection I have decided not to seek a nomination to contest the election,” he said.
“While a number of different factors have influenced my decision, my overriding consideration has been my wish to protect my family from the kind of personal abuse which is becoming increasingly normalised in Irish politics generally and in presidential elections in particular.”
The former CMO said he understood the harsh nature of modern politics and that while he could defend his own record, his family could not.
“I cannot now expose them to further distress, criticism or abuse at a time when we are all still rebuilding our lives,” he added.
“Presidential elections are vitally important events in the civic life of the country. I earnestly hope that the coming campaign is marked by civilized and respectful debate and reflection as we all try to imagine and agree on the values and qualities we wish to see in our next President.”
Dr Holohan had floated a possible run at the presidency last week, citing polling he commissioned that showed 15% support for his candidacy.
The confirmation that Mr Holohan will not contest the election comes as Fine Gael prepares to reopen nominations after frontrunner Mairead McGuinness unexpectedly withdrew last week.
At present, former minister Heather Humphreys and MEP Seán Kelly are potential Fine Gael candidates.
Sources indicate Ms Humphreys is assembling a campaign team, with support already pledged by three independent junior ministers — Seán Canney, Noel Grealish, and Michael Healy-Rae.