Sir, – The online abuse and threats directed against Senator Eileen Flynn when she dared speak out on the subject of toxic nationalism and far-right propaganda is emblematic of why hate speech needs to be regulated. Flynn, a Traveller, was also the target of linguistic discrimination.
Linguistic discrimination involves the othering of individuals or groups because of their accent, dialect or way of speaking. This can amplify racist abuse or can stand alone as its own area of harm. Linguistic discrimination often leads to, or is motivated by, hate speech. Flynn suffered both of these types of hatred. When the issue was last before the Seanad in 2024 – the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 – hate speech was dropped from the legislation.
Now that a number of our sitting TDs and Senators have been targeted through online attacks, perhaps a more robust conversation can lead to a better understanding of how hate spreads and how it is allowed to proliferate. – Yours, etc,
Dr STEPHEN LUCEK
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Head of Linguistics,
University College Dublin.
