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Man who says the internet "shut down his business" after cake-topper row calls for No vote

Paul Barnes owned Daintree Paper until shortly after a controversy over cake-toppers.

Mothers and Fathers Matter / YouTube

THE FORMER OWNER of Daintree Paper, who caused controversy two years ago by refusing to allow a same-sex cake-topper be displayed in his shop, has called for a No vote in the upcoming referendum.

Paul Barnes owned the paper shop in Dublin city until shortly after the controversy. New owners took over the store in March last year and are firmly in the Yes camp.

In a video for No campaign group Mothers and Fathers Matter, Barnes explains that he “didn’t foresee what was going to happen” when he allowed different wedding craftspeople display in the store.

He says that his refusal to allow the cake toppers be displayed, which attracted huge interest in September 2013, “wasn’t really a story” until it hit the internet.

He said that he was “bullied” by a number of people who called him homophobic.

I’m not homophobic, I had gay people working in the shop. It’s just something that I personally didn’t want.

“Very quickly, there was a huge downturn in business and, shortly after, I had to close the shop.”

He says that he and his customers were “bullied” and his family were “very hurt” by the comments, something that “we have to be careful of when voting” on 22 May.

What happened with me could happen to any business.
It’s something that you don’t think is going to happen to you, but it could happen to anyone.

He said that his business was closed down “because his opinion was different” and warns that “there is more of this to come” if the referendum is passed.

Read: A Dublin stationery shop is making confetti out of homophobic leaflets

Read: The Iona Institute have launched a new animated video to voice their ‘No’ arguments

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171 Comments
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    Mute Parmenides
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    Sep 18th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Just like oour very own unflappable Dobbo, the consummate professional. It’s only a mistake if you acknowledge it. Dobbo could take an arrow to the knee and still deliver the news in a a professional and concise manner.

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    Mute Larry K
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:53 PM

    It also shows just how vital an iPad is for a news presenter

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    Mute Clyde Doyle
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    Sep 18th 2013, 10:06 PM

    Ha ha

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    Mute Michael Donnelly
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:31 PM

    That’s a lost bet from a night in a pub. Or I’ll eat my hat!!

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    Mute Paul Radford
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:26 PM

    You’re right, no other reason for a ream of paper to be anywhere near studio.

    Well spotted Watson, well spotted. Solved

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    Mute Oliver Walker
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:55 PM

    That….looks absolutely ridiculous

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    Mute Veronica
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:54 PM

    Fair pay to him, he kept his cool throughout!

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    Mute Seoirse M H
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:32 PM

    The BBC News service is so blatantly biased and a spring of propaganda. It’s all in the words they choose and nice words are reserved for those who align with Western interests.

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    Mute Leigh Power
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:50 PM

    As opposed to yourself who’s completely unbiased.

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    Mute Mick Rooney
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:03 PM

    You’ve obviously never looked at the blatant Fox-led British Sky News for slanted opinion and bias presenting in their daily news. For all the starch and stuff upper lip of the BBC, you at least get basic news reported less the editorial and reality-show hyperbole of SKY.

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    Mute Seoirse M H
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:17 PM

    Re Mick.

    Hi Mick. Wouldn’t look at SkyNews for news unless I needed some encouragement. The BBC nature programs et al are good but the news service is unbelievably produced according to an agenda. Just look at any articles from the BBC on Pinochet. Absolutely shocking the way they choose words in their description of him and slant on him.

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    Mute Paul Radford
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:28 PM

    So what do you think of Tv3. Interesting to hear your reply.

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    Mute Mick Rooney
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:38 PM

    BBC docu stuff is generally, outstanding, though I take your point on the Pinochet stuff.

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    Mute Mick Rooney
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:43 PM

    Eh, TV3!? Do they call what they do in soundbites news? I used to watch Vincenzo, but, frankly, I couldn’t care less what Georgia, Amy or Glenda do next as an excuse for news! TV3 news reminds me of John Craven’s newsrooms for kids, or the mentally challenged!

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    Mute Wham Wham
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    Sep 18th 2013, 2:32 PM

    I’ve done that afew times in school! You’d be mortified but with all those kids staring at you it’s bound to happen!

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Sep 18th 2013, 6:25 PM

    A decent newsreader mccoy who was pushed out of sky for clashing with the maggie Thatcher of media

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    Mute Cathal Egan
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    Sep 18th 2013, 8:44 PM

    Maybe he got scammed by the people who show you what you’re buying then give you the case filled with paper and leave before you notice. He just hasn’t noticed yet.

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