Election candidate Peter Casey has been forced to refute claims that he is linked to an unofficial right wing Facebook page.
The page, called Right Wing Ireland, has used a photo of Casey as its profile picture for the past year.
But the image is being used without consent, according to Casey.
The Donegal-Derry businessman took to social media last night to distance himself completely from the page.
He said that “sinister forces are at work” to link him with the page.
“I do not know who is behind this weak attempt at sabotage and I wish to make it clear that I do NOT have any affiliation with the page,” Casey said.
“Such dirty tricks are no more than an attempt by shadowy online figures to smear my campaign to honestly represent the people of Donegal on issues that really matter to them.”
Casey, who is running for election in both Donegal and West Dublin, said he is taking action to address his image being used on the page.
“I totally condemn those behind this attempt to stir up unnecessary hysteria in order to promote their political agenda,” he said.