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A SINN FÉIN councillor’s claim that the people who run Irish rugby are ‘West Brits’ was condemned in the Seanad this afternoon.
Fine Gael seantor Jim D’Arcy said Micheál Mac Donncha’s remarks were equivalent to an American referring to someone as an ‘Uncle Tom’ - a derogatory term used to describe black people who are considered subservient to or act like white people.
His party colleague and Seanad leader Maurice Cummins said the comments were “disgraceful” and “bigoted”.
Mac Donncha’s made the comments in a Facebook post on Saturday evening during the course of a debate over the reasons why Amhrán na bhFiann is not played during Irish rugby games outside of the State.
The Sinn Féin Dáil candidate in Dublin Bay North said the reason was an “inferiority complex and anti-national attitude of the West Brits who still run Irish rugby”.
‘West Brit’ is a derogatory term used to describe Irish people who take an interest in British affairs or are condescending towards nationalist issues.
Speaking during the Seanad Order of Business today, D’Arcy said he condemned the “outrageous comments”:
This is the equivalent of an American calling someone an ’Uncle Tom’. This goes to the heart of who we are.
“In actual fact, the people who run Irish rugby could be termed Irish heroes as they have kept a united organisation throughout the Troubles, in a deeply fractured space.”
He added: “Remember, Amhrán na bhFiann is the national anthem of a 26-county Irish Republic and we are rightly proud of it.
“This rugby team is a much more ancient and deeply spiritual manifestation of an older Irish nation. Those who run the organisation should be applauded and not abused.
I just want to say one thing, he wouldn’t say that to our county men, the two Kearney brothers, Dave and Rob, if they were looking at him.
Speaking later during the Order of Business, Cummins said Mac Donncha’s remark was a “regrettable choice of language”.
Such comments are bigoted comments, which really… we’re adding credence to it by even discussing it here in this house.
Mac Donncha has defended his use of the term ‘West Brit’.
He said that he did not consider the term offensive and, when asked if he was referring specifically to the IRFU, he said: “If the cap fits, wear it.”
Sinn Féin has declined to comment on the remark.
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The article should also mention that Enda just spent €50,024 of taxpayers money on an annual salary for a new Special Advisor for Mayo after internal Fine Gael opinions polls done locally showed that he is in real danger of losing his seat. The Special Advisor has been hired at taxpayers expense to liase with the local Mayo media on behalf of Enda in the run up to the general election
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/endas-50k-hometown-aide-to-boost-local-profile-30993257.html
The €50,024 that Enda sanctioned for this new position is on top of the €550,000 per annum cost that is already shelled out on his Dublin based advisors.
Democratic revolution me arse, same old, same old…
More than half a million for special advisors in Dublin for our €3,500 a week Taoiseach , sure €55,000 is insignificant for the Mayo advisor
My reading of this is that there will be a real democratic process in actually choosing a candidate, rather than a political party choosing a candidate. The difference here is that people can get involved at the earliest stage, instead of getting your ballot paper, and marking the “least worst” options. I think this is one of the biggest reasons for bad voter turnout..the attitude that ” they are all the same”. Looks like proper democratic engagement and is a very innovative initiative. i wouldn’t be surprised if other counties follow their lead. Many, many people are just sick of what the traditional parties have to offer, especially political dynasties..the Enda Kenny and Charlie Flanagan’s of this world, straight into Daddy’s seat…disastrous..
When Mayo moves against hegemony the world should take not – It is the birthplace of Michael Davitt after all – and he inspired Ghandhi !
And Enda and his crew attacking history – silly Enda , silly crew !
Just to remind people, enda kenny is spending 50 grand of your tax money to hire a former prominent member of young fine gael as a PR man in his own constituency, lest he suffer the humiliation of not being re-elected despite being taoiseach.
Let that sink in, and you’ll realise how good a job he’s ACTUALLY Ddoing.
Enda’s seat not safe. Joan’s seat not safe. And they think their doing fantastic.
Seen that ad in the paper this morning. Surely the coalition must be secretly bricking it. Public anger v high and they’re doing little to turn the tide. Well little for the middle and working class. And a spew of bs lies from the labour party at the party conference trying to buy back votes
. they’ll be screwed at the next general election. As long as people remember all this carry on. I for one will not forget.
A helium balloon with a clowns face scrawled on it with biro would be a better candidate than Kenny.
An odd sock with buttons for eyes would be a better candidate than Kenny.
As satisfying as that would be , he’s still going to walk away with a pension pot of millions , but for now I will bask in the warm hope of him losing his seat .
Its beginning to feel a bit like Christmas!!! Great news. Saw the advert seeking independant candidates to self-select/get organised in the run-up to the (next) GE. Now…would’nt it be lovely. Can’t wait. Whooo Whooo
The only chair I’d like to see Enda kenny in
is good auld Sparky. …..
Put more fluoride in the water Enda.. your subjects are trying to start a rebellion…
Would the absurd amount of money not be better spent on Special needs assistants, not on “Special advisers”?
Excellent headline. Tell us something we dont know tho.. ;-)
We can but genuinely and profoundly hope..
Its beginning to feel a bit like Christmas!!! Great news. Saw the advert seeking independant candidates to self-select/get organ
When the other-plank-Kenny loses his seat I will laugh my backside off.
LITERALLY!! :D
Article is up over 40 mins, surprised the comments section hasn’t been flooded by the usual crowd praising Enda.
They must of been told to stay away.
The only seat that’s safe for Enda is the one by the fire at home.
Unless someone push’s him into it….lol….
Thats the plan we are all going vote indepentents, the people will have their day and their say.
Hey, someone should tell Endaconversation that theres temp jobs coming up in IW…time to get his cv/application ready, just in case. Sure why not let Phonyjoany kno as well?
or a job bridge, sure it is good enough to ofter people desperate to work
Democracy, you gotta love it .
Best news I have heard,thank god we will soon be rid of him and all his cronies.
Well that election could be sooner than he thinks , the eu demands that Irish water must have over 60% paying customers if not they will tell Enda & Joan your both fired & election must be called & that I think may just happen before the summer is out .
“Oh! Wouldn’t it be lovely”!!!!!!!!!
KENNY KENNY KENNY -
OUT OUT OUT!
KENNY KENNY KENNY -
OUT OUT OUT!
KENNY KENNY KENNY -
OUT OUT OUT!
KENNY KENNY KENNY -
OUT OUT OUT!
KENNY KENNY KENNY -
OUT OUT OUT!
KENNY KENNY KENNY -
OUT OUT OUT!
KENNY KENNY KENNY -
OUT OUT OUT!
KENNY KENNY KENNY -
OUT OUT OUT!
Well Said. FG, LAB, SF, and some of FF are Pro-Abortion, And same sex Marriage. Shame on them..
REPENT.
If Enda does win a seat, can we make it and electric one ?
when all the apples in the barrel are rotten, you have to pick new ones. I really feel the general population and majority have been well and truly let down once too often by the FG/FF/Lab and have become completely sick and tired of them. Right now most of us are wondering what we ever saw in them, and most importantly now that the spell has been broken we will never fall for their bullshit again.
Was sure that was Steve Davis in that pic! He also has that ‘this is me trying to look like I fit in’ vibe going on!
Solid as a rock is our Enda.
As thick as a rock Tom and just as useful.
A joke about viagra comes to mind lol.
Certain Shinners will comment here but will ignore the article about those murdered by the IRA.
Here we are talking about the Mayo Constituency and Mr. Lyons of Tap Solny and various other fake Twitter sites is talking about a different subject altogether ?????
It’s amazing how this Gerryphobia virus has spread throughout FG Members and what’s left of the 475 or so, Labour Party Members – Tap – you must take your Meds every three hours !!!!!
Tap whats that got to do with your Muppet Kenny keeping his seat?
Tap is from Northern Ireland. He was originally Patrick Lyons. He is fascinated with Irish politics for some reason.
Still trying to save F.G. votes… are you again?
Is there anything stopping this new independent party providing an accomodation address so we can switch our registered voting address to say…..castlebar ?
or at least 100000+ of us, that would finally get rid of mr smug enda. No point in leaving it to chance.
Solid as a rock is our Enda
Yeah, we heard you the first time. Twit.
Greg it’s not Tom’s fault he was let out of his home for weirdos….
You carry on Tom….God bless you….you poor wee fool…
Thick as two short planks is our Enda, makes Brian Clown look intelligent!
Your village called..they miss you..and want you back..
His village called asking if someone else would take him
Now, come ON…..that’s impossibe….lol….
And as useful as one lol.
Hurry up as there isn’t much time left…
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ireland-may-face-crisis-election-over-eu-ruling-on-irish-water-viability-308758.html
There are 350 temporary jobs advertised in IW he could apply, or go back teaching how to make a mess of a country, accept brown envelopes, how to be a bankers best friend for ever. Anyone else any other positions he could apply for. But I do think the IW position is just up his ally
Ah the west is awake as many young men of 20 say goodbye
‘Enda Kenny’s seat isn’t safe, an independent could take it’
Neither is the bog roll lol.
Independent will take it,he does not deserve it
I can’t see Enda having a problem retaining his seat. Mayo is going to a 4 seater, so it will be difficult for any independent to make an impact. Michael Ring will keep his seat, as will Dara Calleary, Enda might rely on transfer from Ring and Michelle Mulherin who Wil struggle. Michael Kilcoyne best placed of the independent candidates to win a seat. I expect Rose Conway-Walsh(SF) to show strongly as well with Lisa Chambers having a squeak. Kilcoyne will probably take the 4th seat though.
That photo makes me think…
The Gob Father… lol.
An Independent with the ’1st Independent Mayo’ ethos. That’s not actually 100% Independent then?
Thanks for the very positive comments. You might find these radio interviews informative.
One is in our Dear Leader’s own town, with Castlebar radio, i.e CRCFM, the other is with Galway bay.
Let me emphasise too that neither Eddie Farrell or I are candidates. Rather we hope, with all the other members of our coalition to drive the process forward and have a truly, county wide, mandated, capable and talented individual who won’t be part of the bland leading the bland. This is about ending the musical chairs of political patronage and political anaemia where the more things change the more they stay the same.
http://galwaybayfm.ie/keith-finnegan-show-monday-march-2nd/
All the best to the Journal.ie and thanks for getting us know that bit more on the social media.
HARRY PRICE
Ah bless, your parents must be really proud that they raised a pure cowardly bully.
I actually hope the poor people aren’t around to see what a total moron you turned into .
Please tell us you haven’t even tried to breed with anything other than your hand.
KENNYS DAYS ARE NUMBERED
Seems a bit odd though.. It is reasonable to assume that the organisers have a more pointed agenda than simply seeing an independent take a seat.
So, are they left or right? Somewhere in between? It seems unlikely that any aspiring TD would get involved. Surely they would just run if they felt they had something to offer rather than let populism potentially cost them their ability to run should they not be “selected”?
The only agenda Colum is to get the best possible T.D. for Mayo, who can serve county and country well, and won’t become part of a failed, cosy, consensus. Who knows this might spread and we’ll shake up the system countrywide too. I wonder will an application come in from the Claremorris area, wouldn’t johno love that!
No doubt there are good young men or women there, from the heart of the West who can do the Green and Red and the Green, White and Orange proud.
I hope they will be Pro-Life. And anti same sex Marriage.
The application process is open to all and let them be asked the appropriate questions on all issues. It will be up to the people to decide, not the organisers. The format will involve experienced journalists and local media personalities interviewing the candidates with their own scrutinizing questions as well as putting audience questions to them.
There will also be a series of surveys of opinions on both the candidates and the issues, from the audiences, each member of whom must sign a declaration that they are not a member of any presently registered political party. Other precautions will also be put in place, but we generally are going to take people at their word.
I am pro life myself and I have yet to be convinced of what additional rights, pertinent to human dignity, that every human being deserves, be they gay or straight, can be given by redefining marriage that are not already there in civil partnership. Personally I’ll be voting no and if arguments are going to be based on emotion rather than reason, by either side, I might even abstain. Either way a debate that denigrates the person, will not be a debate at all.
I though am not a candidate, this is not about me, or my political, social, and economic views, indeed many of us within First Independent Mayo vary among ourselves, some are theists, some are not, some are conservative on social issues, some are liberal. Some are very pro E.U., some slightly Eurosceptic, some pro Euro, some not, and so on. But none of these differences matter. We are not a political party. We are facilitators of something truly new, radical, different, a genuinely independent grass roots movement, who know that character is as important as policy, the latter should come from the former, and such a character through reason, should be able to sell both him or self and their policies.
What truly unites us is a convergence that this Govt and the last one failed us, big time and were not up to the task of putting the country’s needs before their own. That may sound harsh, but when you see headlines like Gilmore and Quinn’s pension costing 2 million each, well you get the point.
The present political club is about closing ranks to keep themselves in control of the system, a system that perpetuates the protection of vested interests, political patronage, and the status quo.
First Independent Mayo is something that should unite left and right, the issues you raise, come and see, participate, raise them yourself, let the candidates speak of those.
have your say