DECLAN KERR has stepped down from his role as Finn Harps media officer and vacated his seat on the Club’s Board of Directors.
In a statement this morning, Kerr confirmed that he has resigned ‘in light of negative comments from sources within the club’ – and has warned that he is considering legal action against ‘three individuals’.
Kerr, in his statement, claims that he has been ‘subjected to an ongoing social media campaign of personal attacks over the past year by three individuals.’
He said: “I wish to remind those who’ve posted these comments on social media sites about my professional and personal integrity that such remarks are subject to the same legal rigours for libel content, such as that pertaining to the print media, and are likely to be a matter for court proceedings.
“In that regard, I have been tracking these comments for consideration by my legal advisers with the objective of having those who’ve made them being held to account for their actions.”
Matters raised their head earlier this week in response to an article posted on the official Finn Harps website, www.finnharps.com.
A report about Harps’ draw against Cork City last Friday night, which was accompanied by the by-line ‘By Declan Kerr, Finn Harps Media Officer’, read: ‘Fans can see the work being put in by Hogan (sic) and Paul Hegarty on a small budget and appreciate the efforts of the players and back room team who have stuck together through very difficult periods this season. They have ignored the baffling negativity from a small element, some of whom actually call themselves Club volunteers.’
The last line, in particular, appeared to be a tipping point for many.
On social media, several high profile Harps volunteers, including the Supporter Liaison Officer Aidan McNelis, and Diaga Design, said they had withdrawn their services from the club.
Kerr had served as Finn Harps’ Media Officer since July 2016 and was a nominee for the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland (SWAI) ‘Press Officer’ Award.
Although not included in the list of the club’s Board of Directors, it is understood that Kerr joined the Board earlier this year.
Tags:Statement of Declan Kerr in full
“I am stepping down as Media Officer with Finn Harps FC in the light of negative comments from sources within the club in relation to my coverage of a recent away match.
For some time it has been my view that I do not have the full support and positive reaction needed to report and comment in a manner that is in best interests of promoting Finn Harps in a proactive way. I have also been subjected to an ongoing social media campaign of personal attacks over the past year by three individuals.
I wish to remind those who’ve posted these comments on social media sites about my professional and personal integrity that such remarks are subject to the same legal rigours for libel content, such as that pertaining to the print media, and are likely to be a matter for court proceedings.
In that regard, I have been tracking these comments for consideration by my legal advisers with the objective of having those who’ve made them being held to account for their actions.
I have been forced to consider my position over a number of months in the hope that the issues arising could have been resolved and it is with much regret that I am now taking this course of action to step down as Finn Harps Media Officer and from the Club’s Board.
Despite this very difficult time for me personally, I have been fundraising over the past week to help Finn Harps through a challenging financial period and I will be presenting the proceeds to the Club in the coming days.
I am proud to have served in the Media Officer role for the past three years. It was very rewarding also for me personally that my work was recognised by being nominated twice in three years for the Irish Soccer Writers Association Media Officer Award.
I trust that my work has been of real benefit to Finn Harps in promoting the Club teams at both senior and underage level.
Finally, I want to wish Finn Harps Football Club, their hundreds of volunteers and supporters all the best in the future. Hopefully the senior team can retain their place in the Premier Division for next season and the underage sides can achieve success in their respective competitions in the coming weeks.
