ARLENE FOSTER has fought back against an online troll who said she hoped Northern Ireland’s First Minister would contract the deadly Coronavirus.
Northern Ireland’s first case of COVID-19 was confirmed last week in what represents the first instance of the virus on the island of Ireland.
Responding to a tweet reporting the news, Twitter user @EmmaJaneMurphy4 commented underneath the post: “Hope it gets to Arlene Foster.”
While Ms Foster is no stranger to disparaging remarks and online abuse, in this instance she decided to fire back with a suitably droll response.
Ms. Foster replied: “Thank you Emma Jane. Very kind.”
The comeback garnered widespread praise with the DUP leader earning plaudits for standing up to online bullying with a well measured response.
“I may not see eye to eye [with Arlene Foster], but that is totally absurd, a disgrace,” one man said
“Brilliant response from Arlene!,” anothrer woman said.
“Honestly can people not just be nice...or quiet!.”
In the meantime, the @EmmaJaneMurphy4 Twitter account has been deleted and no longer exists.
There are currently 19 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the UK.
One British person has so far died from the illness.
They were confirmed as a passenger aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship currently anchored off the coast of Japan.
