Daniel O’Donnell Slams ‘Cesspit’ Social Media Trolls Over Donegal Housing Redress Scheme Claims
Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell has hit back strongly at online trolls who accused him of failing to support the mica redress scheme, describing parts of social media as a “cesspit.”
The Donegal star, known worldwide for his music and charity work, appeared on Highland Radio where he addressed the claims and the wave of abuse he said he has faced online.
According to O’Donnell, the allegations that he did not support the mica campaign were false and deeply hurtful. “I was not aware of this situation with mica,” he explained. “If I was made aware of it, I would have supported, no doubt about it.”
The singer, visibly frustrated, criticized the tone of the online attacks. “The people that are on [social media] don’t deserve the space that they walk on, those that are writing pure rubbish,” he said. “Thanks be to God I’m fairly level — this morning you could knock me down with a feather.”
O’Donnell warned, however, that such abuse can be devastating for others. “There are people that are not strong, and it doesn’t matter how they appear,” he added. “Sometimes what you write could be the reason for somebody taking their own life.”
The Mica Crisis
The #MicaRedress campaign has been a highly visible movement in Donegal and other affected counties, demanding immediate government action to rebuild homes constructed with defective blocks containing high levels of mica. The mineral causes the blocks to absorb water, leading houses to crack, crumble, and in some cases become uninhabitable.
In January 2020, the Irish Government announced a grant scheme designed to help rebuild up to 4,800 homes in Donegal. The program, described by Councillor Rena Donaghey as a “national emergency,” offers up to €275,000 to owners forced to demolish and reconstruct the worst-affected houses.
Despite these measures, campaigners have continued to push for faster action and broader eligibility, making the issue one of the most emotional and politically charged in the region.
Miscommunication and Backlash
According to O’Donnell, the controversy stemmed from an email sent to his office requesting support for the mica cause. His management, not O’Donnell personally, responded. “Lots of emails come to the office, and if management feel something is controversial or bordering on something legal, they don’t even talk to me about it,” he explained.
That reply was not well received by campaigners, who interpreted O’Donnell’s lack of direct response as indifference. The issue escalated further when he did not mention the mica campaign in his Facebook Live broadcasts, leading to online groups criticizing him and, in some cases, personally attacking his character.
O’Donnell said he was “astounded” by the level of “hatred” directed at him over what he described as a misunderstanding.
Calls for Respect
An administrator of one of the public Facebook groups later acknowledged the attacks had gone too far. In a message to O’Donnell, the admin apologized for the comments and admitted the trolling was “unacceptable.”
“A person with his fan base is vital for our fight,” the group admin wrote. “It only takes a few mouthpieces to ruin the momentum and integrity of a group.”
For O’Donnell, the episode has reinforced his long-held belief that social media can be a toxic space. While he remains committed to supporting his community, he made clear that the abuse had crossed a line. “Social media is a cesspit,” he said firmly.
As the mica campaign continues, the episode serves as a reminder of both the power and the dangers of online platforms. For Daniel O’Donnell, the lesson was personal — a stark illustration of how quickly misinformation can spread, and how even those with reputations for kindness and generosity can become targets in the digital age.