Cork councillors seek answers on X account hack

Cork city councillors are seeking clarification regarding a troubling incident involving the X account of Valerie O'Sullivan, the future chief executive of the council. The account was reportedly compromised and engaged with content that was anti-LGBT, as well as promoting conspiracy theories related to Covid-19 and climate change. O'Sullivan, who has previously served as the acting chief executive of Cork county council, has publicly denied any alignment with the views expressed through the account. O'Sullivan is set to take on the role of chief executive, which comes with significant responsibilities, including overseeing an annual revenue budget of €292 million. She is the sole nominee for the position, proposed by the public appointments service, and is expected to receive an annual salary of €182,280 upon the council's vote. The incident has raised concerns among councillors, prompting them to demand further explanations about the security of O'Sullivan's social media presence and the implications of the account's activity. The account was removed in November of the previous year following a report from Tripe + Drisheen, indicating that the issue had been recognized and acted upon. This situation highlights the importance of social media management for public officials and the potential impact of online actions on their professional reputations. As O'Sullivan prepares to assume her new role, the scrutiny surrounding her online presence may influence public perception and trust in her leadership.