Clare GAA secretary Pat Fitzgerald's decision to report online abuse to the Garda received strong support at last night's convention in Ennis.

Writing in his annual report, the long-serving officer revealed how he had been the target of a "smear and belittlement campaign" by keyboard warriors.

“There comes a time when one has to cry ‘enough is enough’,” he said.

“For years I have been pilloried on social media and other online platforms, subjected to cheap shots by a majority of people who haven’t the decency or courage to put their names to the posts.

“For most of the time I have chosen to ignore the diatribe, but this year’s vitriol descended to unacceptable levels.

"When online posts enter the realms of a smear and belittlement campaign as I see it, I could not sit idly by any longer and bite my tongue. It was time to take forceful action."

He added: “It (reporting the matter to the Garda) wasn’t something I did lightly, but I think you will all agree it is time to put a stop to these vilified attacks. Other officers have also been maligned on social media and these posts are also included in a dossier of complaints.

"We will wait to see what develops from the Garda investigation."

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