Waterford TD Mary Butler has contacted gardaí to report a fake Facebook page purporting to create the impression that she was "dismissive of victims of child sexual abuse".
The Fianna Fáil TD was re-elected after receiving 12.3% of first-preference votes in the constituency which saw Sinn Féin's David Cullinane top the poll.
In a statement issued today, Deputy Butler said that in the last 24 hours, "a very sinister development has taken place".
She said she became aware that a fake'Mary Butler TD' page had been created on Facebook and was being used "to ‘like’ and ‘laugh’ at certain comments on other, legitimate pages".
According to the Dungarvan native, "the intention and effect of this activity was to create the impression that I was dismissive of victims of child sexual abuse".
While the page has since been removed, she said that screenshots showing the profile's activity continue to circulate on social media.
She called this a "smear operation" and "a sophisticated and highly coordinated effort" to distribute the images throughout Waterford and nationwide.
Deputy Butler said she has reported the matter to gardaí and she has also suspended her own social media accounts
She added: "The effect of this attack has been devastating for me personally and for my family. My commitment to and support for victims of sexual abuse has been complete and unwavering."
