Mother of Armagh teacher at centre of ‘GAA catfish’ drama describes experience as ‘total nightmare’ – The Irish News

The mother of a woman who denies being the ‘GAA catfish’ has described the experience of her being named publicly as a “total nightmare”.

Niamh Farrell, a music teacher originally from Portadown in Co Armagh, was granted a temporary injunction last week by Dublin’s High Court suspending disciplinary proceedings by her school, Coláiste Éanna. A further hearing is due to be held this week.

The proceedings began after ‘The 2 Johnnies’ broadcast in January fresh claims relating to a woman luring individuals, including GAA players, into online relationships using a false persona, widely known as catfishing.

This followed two 2022 episodes of the podcast, hosted by comedians Johnny ‘B’ O’Brien and co-host Johnny ‘Smacks’ McMahon, charting the deceptions.

Her mother, in a short interview with the Sunday World newspaper, described the experience as “just horrendous”.

“It’s a total nightmare for the family and it’s a total nightmare for her. How much more can she take? That’s what I’m worried about.”

She added: “But it’s in the hands of the lawyers. I don’t want to say anything because I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing.

“I just know the impact it’s having on her and the impact it’s having on the family. It’s just not right.”

Ms Farrell’s mother said her daughter is under a lot of pressure and that “my heart goes out to her”.

Questioned on hopes people would stop commenting online: “I don’t think it would matter. Enough is enough.”