The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed at the continued failure to charge and prosecute those responsible for threatening award-winning crime reporter Patricia Devlin.

A police ombudsman upheld a complaint filed by prominent crime reporter Patricia Devlin. The journalist had initiated the case against the Police Service of Northern Ireland for its failure to investigate the online threat against her baby. The police ombudsman concluded the case in Patricia's favour. She said the threat made against the journalist was repulsive and police missed the opportunity to apprehend the suspect. The CFWIJ welcomes the court decision and hopes this will set a new precedent for police to properly investigate the matters that concern women journalists and press freedom.

Award-winning crime reporter Patricia Devlin was again threatened online. Patricia received a very horrific threat against her son via Facebook inbox. The threat mentioned to her son was written as "your baby will suffer very soon from rape very nice". The journalist shared a screenshot on Twitter on May 8 and said, “This is what happens when authorities fail to purpose and hold to account vile creatures using fake accounts to make threats.”

Patricia Devlin was again targeted on social media after her coverage of the actions of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). This has become a regular occurence. Devlin, who is a crime reporter has faced similar threats in the past, any time she reported on the loyalist groups operating within Ireland. Over the past couple of years, Devlin was targeted with death and rape threats aimed towards herself and her family, and social media doxxing campaigns. Despite the several attempts to engage law enforcement agencies in the matter, Devlin remains vulnerable to such attacks.

Award-winning crime journalist Patricia Devlin is subjected to death and rape threats since 2019. In April 2019, Patricia was targeted with an online troll campaign by members of a mob she had been regularly reporting on. They harassed her with misogynistic slurs and sent out threats of rape. In October 2019, the situation worsened when she received rape threats for her newborn son and became victim to the doxxing campaign which gave out the address of the journalist and named her family members.

A meeting took place between journalist Patricia Devlin and members of the legislative assembly in Ireland to discuss the harrowing threats the journalist has received. Patricia Devlin is a crime journalist who is repeatedly targeted by criminal groups in Ireland due to her work. Recently her name was graffitied on the wall alongside a gun target to intimidate her.

Award-winning journalist Patricia Devlin again received sinister death threats on Friday. A graffiti depicting her name and a gunshot sign was drawn on different locations in east Belfast. The chilling sight of graffiti addressing Patricia is a direct threat to her life.CFWIJ is highly alarmed as this has happened before with Patricia. We demand law enforcement agencies in Belfast to investigate and apprehend whoever is behind such vicious threats.

The ongoing death threats against journalist Patricia Devlin have taken a severe turn. The two latest threats —including a death threat— were made by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), a loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) follows the malicious attacks against Patricia with great concern. As these threats can carry severe consequences, we call again on the Northern Ireland authorities and security forces to ensure the journalist and her family’s safety.

The ongoing death threats, including intimidations of rape against journalist Patricia Devlin and her baby son, continue to escalate. Patricia Devlin intends to seek legal action against the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) unless he can assure that the PSNI will conduct an immediate investigation into the violent threats against her. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is keeping a close eye on rising threats, though the absence of a legitimate investigation is of deep concern to us. We urge PSNI to conduct a thorough inspection of the matter.

Patricia Devlin, an award-winning crime reporter working for the Sunday World, has been target of vicious online attacks and threats to her family since 2019 for her coverage on crime, drug and criminal gangs, and how their activities are intertwined with certain loyalist paramilitary groups.