“On a personal level, I don’t feel safe at the moment and that is a horrible feeling,” said Tierney.
“My children and my parents find it hard, especially my dad who has been a lifelong passionate supporter of Welsh rugby.
“I am not trying to personalise this because I do this job because I believe in it and love it.
“It is not what I want to talk about. I do this job and I have to take that [social media abuse] as part of it.”
Tierney has chosen to do her first interview in a long time with the WRU in-house podcast where it was claimed no questions were barred.
Neither Tierney, chair Richard Collier-Keywood or director of rugby Dave Reddin have spoken publicly to the media since December with the BBC repeatedly requesting interviews with the WRU trio.
Collier-Keywood and Tierney have spoken at committee hearings in Parliament and the Senedd in front of Welsh politicians.
The WRU chief executive boss gave a stark example of the abuse she is facing online.
“A couple of weekends ago somebody put out an AI [artificial intelligence] image [of Tierney] in Nazi clothing,” said Tierney.
“That is hate speech. I don’t think that’s ok and it is not what the Welsh rugby family is about and we should not be making people feel unsafe.
“The social media aspect is hard. Challenge and ask me questions, I am happy to do that, but this is too far.”
Tierney was asked what message she would give to the “keyboard warriors” which she says is also harming Welsh rugby’s future with the impact it has on players, the ability to sell tickets and attract sponsors.
“Forget about me and whether you agree with or like me,” she said.
“Think about Welsh rugby and its future and our ability to invest in the game at all levels.
“Let’s pull together and get through this. It is an absolute privilege to do this job but we are making things even harder by the negativity and hate that is out there.”
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