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Mary hits back at "cowardly"
campaign
27.01.10
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
AN internet hate campaign attacking outspoken
Buncrana Christian, Mary Doherty, was withdrawn late
on Monday night.
The controversial Facebook group - 'Mary Doherty is
a Nutter' - which boasted more than 350 members,
described the local nurse as "a Nazi". One photo
depicted Ms Doherty as a devil with horns and red
eyes.
Hundreds of derogatory messages were left on the
page, which was designed to put Mary ‘back in her
box.’
One poster said Ms Doherty was making a mockery of
Buncrana: “The whole town is laughing at her and
everything she stands for. This woman has no clue
about what anyone under the age of 50 thinks.”
Ms Doherty was compared to disgraced DUP politician,
Iris Robinson, by an internet user who said: “they
seem to have the same values". There were also more
sinister messages posted. |
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Reacting to the
campaign, Mary Doherty, said she was saddened by the
behaviour of those involved in the campaign but said
she would not be deterred in her work.
“These people have shown themselves up. They have no
respect or manners. If this is the next generation,
then God help us,” she said.
“I feel sorry for the people who wrote these things.
Why are they so obsessed with me? I must be a threat
to them if they are spitting out language like this.
“When you stand up for what you believe |
in people can easily
shoot you down. I welcome honest and open criticism
and debate but these people just hide behind
internet sites,” Mary added.
Smiling at the photo which portrayed her as Satan,
Mary said it was "laughable".
“It’s embarrassing really, if this is all they have
to say. They can’t even spell or formulate sentences
properly. Does it make them feel brave? If you are
going to say something then say it; don’t be a
coward,” she said.
“These people have shown a lack of tolerance of
other people’s views. If I say something they
disagree with I am labelled a Nazi. I stand for
truth and I am not going anywhere,” she added. |
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