The family of Ann Delaney, who died while sleeping rough in Dublin city centre at the end of last month, have criticised online activists who they said have tried to "hijack" Ann's death and use it as a "rallying call".
In a statement issued to RTÉ's Liveline, Ann's brother hit out at "painful comments which faceless people, hiding behind keyboards, leave on various social media sites and comment sections".
Following her death, some anti-immigration activists posted on social media that asylum seekers were being housed or offered accommodation ahead of Irish people. Others criticised the Government’s housing policy.
The night after she died, more than 100 people gathered on Aungier Street for a a vigil to remember Ms Delaney, who was originally from Crettyard in Co Laois.
The statement issued today read: "Ann Delaney was a daughter, a sister and a mother. My family did everything in our power to help her.
"She was never homeless. As a family, our door was always open to her.
"While I don’t have to justify what my family did and how much we tried to help her, we have been left hurt by the uninformed and nasty comments online.
"In addition to grieving the loss of a family member, I have to deal with painful comments which faceless people hiding behind keyboards leave on various social media sites and comment sections.
"Hurtful comments do not wash over me. The disgusting comments leave me angry.
"I want to acknowledge the outpouring of grief at the vigil in Dublin city and the overwhelming support we received from our local community. We will never forget what our neighbours and friends did to help us.
"We are good people who did not turn our backs on our sister. And I would also ask people not to hijack Ann’s story for their own purposes. As I said already, she was a daughter, sister and mother and should not to be used as a rallying call."
