Woman Subjected to Misinformation as Paper Incorrectly Claims Vaccine Led to Her Son's Death

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Aug 07, 10:33 am

In a distressing turn of events, a grieving mother and her lawyer have been subjected to a relentless campaign of abuse and threats after taking legal action against the Irish Light, a conspiracy theory newspaper. The publication falsely claimed that the woman's son had died due to a COVID vaccine, leading to a wave of harassment and defamation directed at her and her legal representative.

Online Harassment Escalates: Irish Light's Extreme Supporters Target Grieving Mother and Lawyer

The mother, Edel Campbell, found herself targeted by the Irish Light's supporters on multiple online platforms, with accusations of "outrageous lies," "mental instability," and even suggestions of suicide. The abuse has been described as "shocking" and may be deterring other grieving relatives from seeking justice in similar cases.

Last year, the Irish Light published an article including Ms. Campbell's son, Diego Gilsenan, along with 41 others, falsely attributing their deaths to the "untested and dangerous" COVID vaccine. However, it later emerged that Diego had taken his own life in August 2021, at the age of 18, and had not received the vaccine.

According to BBC, the vicious campaign of abuse escalated after Ms. Campbell decided to file a civil case against Gemma O'Doherty, the editor of the Irish Light, for harassment and defamation. The newspaper had published a photo of Diego Gilsenan and others on the front page under the headline "Died Suddenly," a tagline that conspiracy theorists across social media have used to spread misinformation about COVID vaccine-related deaths among young people.

Despite the rarity of vaccine-related deaths, conspiracy theorists have seized upon several tragic cases to fuel their misinformation campaigns. Ms. Campbell's case marks a significant development, as she is believed to be the first relative to sue over a false vaccine-related death claim.

The abusive campaign has also targeted Ms. Campbell's lawyer, Ciaran Mulholland, who has faced threats of execution and violence from those supporting the Irish Light. Such attacks are a clear attempt to intimidate and deter legal action against the newspaper.

Vaccine Misinformation Epidemic: Conspiracy Theorists Exploit Tragic Deaths to Spread Falsehoods

In response to the relentless abuse and harassment, the High Court in Dublin granted a restraining order against Gemma O'Doherty, prohibiting her from contacting Ms. Campbell or using her son's image without consent. Despite this legal intervention, abusive posts about Ms. Campbell continue to surface on social media, and the newspaper's editor denies any wrongdoing.

The Irish Light has a history of promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation. Its articles have included misleading claims about vaccines, fluoridation, climate change, and ethnic demographics in Ireland. The publication's editorial independence sets it apart from its namesake in the UK, The Light.

The need to uphold her family's integrity and preserve the memory of her son drove Ms. Campbell's courageous decision to pursue legal action. The case is not about seeking retribution or compensation but rather holding the newspaper accountable for its false and damaging claims.

This distressing incident highlights the urgent need for greater accountability and responsible journalism in the face of dangerous conspiracy theories. As authorities investigate the alleged harassment, it is crucial that steps be taken to protect victims from such malicious campaigns and preserve the truth in the age of misinformation.