Social media is being used to attack Gardaí according to the Garda Representative Association (GRA).

The GRA claims that money is being offered for personal information about rank and file officers and that management is not taking the matter seriously.

The GRA has said that in the past ten years social media has become a new weapon to attack Gardaí.

While gardaí have rules on what they can share online, when officers become the victims of online abuse management have not stepped in the GRA has claimed.

Outgoing president Dermot O’Brien has said the situation is unacceptable.

“When social media is used to target, criticise and bully our members some Garda management have been lacking in openly defending us,” said O’Brien.

“This is unacceptable.

“When outrageous allegations can be levelled at us, money offered for personal information, threats made against us with little or no action being taken by Garda management we are left powerless in the face of such social media campaigns.

“Action needs to be taken.”