The mysterious online campaign that tried to make Diarmuid Rossa Phelan’s murder trial into a political flashpoint

Irish farmers were becoming “easy targets”. So went the rhetoric from one ­prolific Reddit account, which was making its many and detailed arguments about the sanctity and safety of the Irish farm around one high-profile court case: the Diarmuid Rossa Phelan murder trial. The Irish Independent’s Ellen Coyne has uncovered details of an anonymous online account engaging in heated commentary around the trial, and an influence operation designed to push a sympathetic agenda towards Diarmuid Phelan. There is no evidence or suggestion that Mr Phelan was aware of this online activity or approved of it. Host; Tabitha Monahan, Guest; Ellen Coyne

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