Statement: Michaella McCollum’s family have initiated legal action

It looks like this week is going from bad to worse for Michaella McCollum, the 23-year-old Tyrone-native who was recently released from a Peruvian prison after two years and three months inside for drug trafficking offences.

Having recently conducted an interview with RTÉ, both the former model and national broadcaster have been subject to intense backlash on social media, with members of the public scorning the interviewer's gentle approach and Michaella's justification for the crime.

But it seems the backlash has stepped up a notch with the McCollum family claiming they have endured harassment and intimidation at the hands of an Irish daily newspaper.

According to a statement released yesterday by Belfast solicitor, Kevin Winter, the McCollum family have initiated legal proceedings against the newspaper in question.

Thanking various other media outlets for the respect they have been shown with regards Michaella's case, the statement read: "For the most part there have been no issues or difficulties save for one intimidating approach."

The statement continued: "On Sunday two members of staff from an Irish daily newspaper subjected the McCollum family including Michaella to harassment and intimidation as they tried to get into a taxi."

"We are instructed to issue legal proceedings against the newspaper in relation to the incident and a formal letter of claim will issue tomorrow."

While Michaella's family understand the public interest in the case, they have requested 'space and privacy' as they navigate the next stage of Michaella's parole process.

Feat image: RTÉ
Centre image: Mariana Bazo/Reuters