Man held over online threats to Derry SDLP councillor released on bail
Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr has been selected by the SDLP to be the next mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council
A 30-year-old man arrested by officers investigating a report of online threats towards the incoming mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr, originally from Kenya, has been selected by the SDLP to be the next first citizen of Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The man attended Strand Road police station in Derry on Sunday and was detained on suspicion of harassment, threats to kill and improper use of a public electronic communications network.
A PSNI statement assured the public that police took reports of online threats and harassment extremely seriously.
On Sunday, Cllr Seenoi-Barr said the racist abuse and death threats directed at her since her selection was announced had made her more determined to succeed in the role.
She said on Sunday morning that she wanted to focus on the many people who had reacted positively to her selection.
Her party leader Colum Eastwood has condemned the racist abuse and what he described as “very serious death threats”.