Popular local trade site hijacked by trolls

Vile online trolls caused uproar on a local trading Facebook page at the weekend when spamming it with crude and offensive posts mocking illness, infant death and those with disabilities, as they goaded reaction from unsuspecting and horrified site users.

 

Such was the loathsome nature of the abuse, it prompted dozens to unfollow ‘Cavan Sell Buy Swap’, a ‘Closed Group’ facilitating the sale, swap and trade of items and services in the local area.

 

The site hijacking with abhorrent and distasteful comments mirrors that on other online trading pages elsewhere across the country.

 

Gardaí are now understood to be aware of the incident, as hundreds also clicked to report the cruel taunts to Facebook after the posts first began appearing early last Friday, March 3.

 

From a Facebook account established just days prior to the depraved postings appearing, one message on the buy and sell site, which has more than 22,000 subscribers, said: “It’s got me beat why people hate cancer so much, on the upside at least you get a free hair cut.”

 

The same account stated: “If my child was born with Down syndrome it would be given up for adoption straight away. No way could I love such an ugly child that isn’t normal. It’s got me beat how people can love a child with special needs.”

 

Both comments ended with a peace hands emoji, adding the post was just an “opinion”.

 

Another user meanwhile attempted to make light of infant mortality, saying they had a baby’s coffin for sale. “We just couldn’t see the point of putting a €5000 coffin in the ground.”

 

See this week's newspaper for full report