An Garda Síochána, the police force of Republic of Ireland, have launched an investigation into the vile racist abuse Ian Wright suffered on social media on Monday.
Wright revealed in a series of posts on Twitter that he has been subjected to despicable online abuse.
Ian Wright has admitted the vile racist abuse he suffered on Monday ‘hit me so hard’
The former Arsenal and England striker was sent a number of explicitly abusive messages on Instagram, with leading anti-racism charities condemning the conduct.
And the Gardai have released a statement saying they have questioned an Irish teenager in relation to the abusive posts.
Wright shared a screenshot of some of the disgusting comments on Twitter, with the caption: “I know I’m not meant to look at them but these messages still hit me so hard man. This is a child!!!
You are a f***ing monkey, C*** c**n monkey n*****. Direct message to me on IG. This kid [h]as a direct line into me & is able to send this without any worry.
Twitter users responded by posting information about young abuser, who claimed his account had been hacked before apparently deleting his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
But An Garda Síochána have claimed he handed himself in for questioning at his local station after the Twitter backlash against him.
A statement from the police force on Monday night read: “An Garda Síochána is investigating an incident where abusive/racist comments have been re-posted on social media platforms.
“No formal complaint has been received by An Garda Síochána at this time, but in line with An Garda Síochána Diversity and Integration Strategy An Garda Síochána commenced an investigation into the comments.
“Subsequently a male adult teenager has presented voluntarily at a Garda Station and has been interviewed in relation to this matter. A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor was also sent an abusive and racist message on Instagram, and Kick It Out called for those who targeted him and Wright to be punished.
Former Aston Villa captain Gabriel Agbonlahor was also a target for racial abuse online on Monday
“We are appalled during this very trying time by the disgraceful abuse directed at Ian Wright and Gabriel Agbonlahor and their families,” a statement read.
“Racial hate speech and violent threats are totally unacceptable but have become sadly normalised on social media.
“Whilst we continue to collaborate with social media platforms to ensure a safer user experience for all, these cases should be investigated by law enforcement and the abusers should face criminal sanctions.”
Show Racism the Red Card chief executive Ged Grebby had earlier condemned the abuse.
“Ian Wright has put his head above the parapet again and I saw him on Match of the Day with Gary Lineker a few weeks ago talking about the racist abuse he suffered as a player, Grebby said.
I’m sure he will be more than happy to report it.
“There was an Asian reporter (Sima Kotecha) yesterday for the BBC and she was abused in the middle of Leicester.
“It shows racism is society’s problem and unfortunately it has been on the rise. People having been staying at home but it doesn’t stop them them abusing people on social media and this is a shocking example of that.”