We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE TAOISEACH AND Tánaiste have disagreed with a comparison of the ongoing situation regarding Katherine Zappone to events that led to ministerial resignations last summer.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated this evening that he believes the contention surrounding Zappone’s appointment as a UN special envoy and the event that she hosted has been inappropriately “elevated”.
In late July, former minister Zappone was appointed to a new role of UN Special Envoy for freedom of opinion and expression.
However, the role had not been publicly advertised, leading to concerns about transparency and objectiveness around the appointment process.
A few days before her appointment, Zappone hosted an event at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin which was attended by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney appeared before an Oireachtas Committee to face questions about the appointment this week and is expected to come before it again to give clarity over differing versions of events.
At a press conference for the launch of a new housing plan this evening, the government leaders were asked about the difference in response to the Zappone controversy compared to two instances last year where Fianna Fáil Cabinet ministers ultimately left their positions.
In the case of Barry Cowen, who was sacked from his role as Minister for Agriculture after it emerged he was issued a driving ban in 2016 for drink-driving, Martin said that he was “left with no alternative” when Cowen would not “go into the House and give full transparency”.
“I don’t think that the situations are comparable,” Martin said.
“Minister Coveney has already written to the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee saying he’s going to go before the committee again to fully address any issues that still arise or need to be addressed or any queries that the members of that committee have in relation to the appointment of Katherine Zappone that hasn’t gone ahead,” he said.
“The bottom line was I’d asked a minister in my Cabinet to go before the Dáil to clarify issues of significant importance that had been raised in the public domain and the minister decided he wasn’t going to do that, he wanted to go another route.”
The Taoiseach had brought the text of the statement he made last year upon Cowen’s termination to the launch of the housing plan this evening.
“I just think there’s a tendency in modern political discourse to elevate issues of this kind that they should not be elevated to,” he said.
Speaking about Dara Calleary, who had replaced Cowen as agriculture minister and resigned after his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Galway in August 2020, Martin said he “paid a very high price, very sad[ly], because he’s a very fine public representative”.
“He did pay a high price in terms of the attendance at that event which followed government decisions or regulations that government had taken in respect of Covid-19,” the Taoiseach said.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar added: “I think what you’re trying to do is say that an apple’s an orange.”
“The outdoor gathering in the Merrion did not break any government regulations, did not breach any law,” Varadkar said.
“When it comes to that other gathering, there is a prosecution pending. It’s a very different set of circumstances,” he said.
“I regret going anywhere near the place, even if it was only for 40 minutes, absolutely, because of the controversy it’s caused.”
Yesterday, Varadkar released screenshots of conversations with Zappone and Coveney (separately) regarding the Merrion Hotel event and her prospective appointment as a UN special envoy.
Text messages between the Tánaiste and Zappone detail her inviting him to the event and discussion of whether it was “definitely legal”.
Zappone asked Varadkar whether he had “heard anything” about her appointment to the role, to which he said “nope”.
Texts between Varadkar and Coveney show that the Tánaiste then texted the minister to ask if he “knew anything” about Zappone taking on the envoy role.
Zappone ultimately said that she would not be accepting the role.
She had been in line to earn €13,000-€15,000 before tax for 50 or 60 days’ work a year.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
@Ryanair crew seem to have little training in handling difficult situations . That male passenger should have been removed from the aircraft before flight the left .
@Jerry Slattery: Unfortunately incidents like this will become more common in Trump and Orban’s brave new world. Their base are off the leash now and emboldened.
@PaulineSmith: Racism is noticeable in the West due to its rareity.
In the rest of the world this is the norm. Blaming Orban for this shows a lack of knowledge of the world outside your little bubble
@PaulineSmith: trump derangement syndrome? Don’t worry, it will pass in time. People this guy existed before Trump or Orban and incidents like this have been happening for years before and will sadly continue to happen even when Trump and Orban are long gone. P.S trump is increasing his vote amongst the black community as they are waking up to the lies and division created by the democrats. Are they racist too?
@PaulineSmith: it’s always people with right wing views, who are obviously the opposite to you, that cause problems. I mean it never mentions politics in the article but you naturally assume he’s right wing. How’s your membership of antifa going ? Oh, I’m sorry , is that a presumption . Must be only you that’s allowed to do that!!!!
@Centerro: / Brian Smith: Look guys, on the internet you’re going to come across opinions different to yours, a few examples would be people who disagree with racism, homophobia and misogyny. If you can’t handle that, I suggest sticking to the comments section on Breitbart of 4Chan, or even better, why not retire to your safe spaces when you get triggered?
@PaulineSmith: the comments you made show you live in a bubble/safe space.
The fact you want people (whom I don’t necessarily agree with) who question your uninformed opinions to leave reinforces that.
If you are young enough and have any real skills, I’d recommend you travel, not to tourist spots, bit to see the world and how it is. Not how the media and the corporations want you to see it.
@Fiasco99: Been all around the world little fella! I have a PhD in History and MA in International Relations. Both qualifications require scepticism, an open mind and very advanced research skills. I never asked the two boys to leave, I just suggested an alternative option for when they get triggered.
@PaulineSmith: no need for the personal insults to me. Here and on other threads.
No need to list your academic achievements, real or imagined.
We are all equal here on the internet.
@Fiasco99: Don’t think so bud, I’ve read some of your comments, you don’t have a clue.
@PaulineSmith: I don’t get triggered. I’ve a PHD in issuing out triggerings.
@PaulineSmith: Exactly! they are opening a pandoras box not seen since WW2 with their careless comments.
@PaulineSmith: You have a really hip vernacular there, Gran. Well done, bud.
@Centerro: *PhD
Trump/Fargae/Le Pen e.t.c. have emboldened bigots/racists and racism is now flourishing under their Nazi styled hate machinations. This is another case of racists following examples of extremist bigoted politicians and openly displaying their hate. Trump e.t.c. supporters say that they are saying it as it is. They are saying it as it is, if you are bigoted and racist IMHO(note a lot are doing this not all)
A lot of Trump supporters are synonymous with their penchant for hate, their adroitness for been dunderheads, with their unashamed racist bigotry BBC’s show ‘Trumps angry America’ the ugly racist underbelly of American culture https://vimeo.com/175317448
Some Trump supporters are literally hailing Trump with Nazi salutes and showing their unashamed racist bigotry also in Channel 4′s ‘Angry, White and American’ a review of an unflinching look at US despair and racial hatred ‘
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/nov/10/white-angry-and-american-review-an-unflinching-look-at-us-despair-and-racial-hatred
@PaulineSmith: OBSESSED
@PaulineSmith: PhD in History and MA in International Relations, and spending your Sunday anonymously trolling anonymous people on the Journal. What a waste.
@PaulineSmith: ironically, it is coloured people who are the most racist. My best friends are from a multitude of countries. They honestly admit that their own races are incredibly racist to others. It’s a weak argument to throw out the Trump card. It’s the typical deranged leftist technique t label someone rather than intellectually debate. People wonder why Trump got elected. It is simply because people got tired of identity politics.
PS this man obviously is a disgusting example of a human being and should be arrested.
@PaulineSmith: PhD is HISTORY aaaaahahahahahaha very advanced research aaaaahahahahaha go get a job you bloody waster. ‘Studying’ history is merely studying the regurgitation of facts.
@KingCrisp: The Guardian……oh my. I feel bad for your parents, all that effort raising you, and look at you
@Mrsuperiority:
‘Coloured people’
Seriously?
My posts are being removed by Journal.ie
So much for free expression of ideas.
@Therman Merman: Paulinesmit: she seems to have got my posts removed on another thread.
So much for the open expression of ideas.
@Mrsuperiority: just proved your ignorance by referring to people as ‘coloured’
@Jerry Slattery: have you seen the vídeo?
I thought it’d be a drunk racist hooligan, but that’s and old man with some kind of obvious mental impairment. A difficult situation.
He should have been reported and arrested immediately…
@Bi88les: arrested? Settle down there chairman Mao
@Bi88les: He should have been thrown off the plane, not arrested.
@Daniel Donovan: what actually happened? I mean prior to his outburst. was she in the wrong seat, did he require two seats because if his weight or something?
@Gulliver Foyle: *Plot twist* she called him a fat honkey before the video started
@Therman Merman: really?
@Therman Merman: actually hate speech is a crime her also hit out at her
@Gulliver Foyle: Seems to be that the old lady had arthritis and took a while to get up and let him get to his seat.
@Bi88les: people have been thrown off and arrested for a lot less. I can only think the captain didn’t want the delay and expense involved
Imagine the way that woman must have been left feeling.
What a horrible man.
@Dearbhla Russell: If it were possible open the aircraft door and throw him out head first . I feel so sorry for that person who had to endure that type of hatred. I hope he is put through the wringer What is wrong with people of today ?
@Dearbhla Russell: he deserves a swift few boxes to the face, then reefed off
That made me so angry. To see that bigot been pandered to. He should have been put off the flight. Even now he should be identified and prosecuted and banned from Ryanair flights. That poor woman.. How can people be so ignorant.. I would be extremely reluctant to get involved in any argument on a flight, but I certainly would have in that case.
Sounds like some people haven’t moved on from the Rosa Parks incident. Horrible indeed.
Bound to be ding dongs when families are being separated,why doesn’t Ryan just charge every body an extra tenner and let families wait together
@Gerard Heery: yeah that’s the issue alright.
@Gerard Heery: What has this man’s appaling behaviour got to do with families sitting next to eachother?
@Brian Scott: well if her family was together in the same row her might never have any verble contact with this guy
@Gerard Heery: The issue that this guy exists and if this woman escaped his vile remarks someone else would would have got them .You have the wrong end of the stick
@Gerard Heery: yeah you’re right. It’s her fault for being black. Not his fault for being a racist.
@Steve Mac: haha brilliant
Nigel Garage flying Ryanair now?
@Stephenkee: even your spell check is as stupid as your comment
@Stephenkee: You must be really woke
Brexit personified
@Ciarān: because everybody who voted for brexit is a racist?
Ryanair is a bit of a cesspit so your man thought they were the airline for him .
Your man must have a mental health issue.
@Niallers: being a racist piece of $#!£ isn’t a mental health issue last time i checked.
@Niallers: thats the impression I got.
@Eamonn Connaghan: his mental issues could have caused him to behave that way, do you not get that?
@Al Madzer: after seen the vídeo, I agree, the old man look like he has some kind of mental impairment.
I was racially abused on a flight from London to Dublin. The Nigerian passenger called me ” a filthy white devil” after I informed him he was sitting in my seat number.
@JeremiahMcDonagh: *citation needed*
@Steve Mac: really?
How is this Ryanairs fault. Had they removed the man they’d have probably been accused of treating an old man unfairly.
@thomas patrick: because he was abusive and causing a disturbance and Ryanair failed to protect the rest of their passengers. That fool could have kicked off in mid air .
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú:
Ryanair staff handled the incident quiet calmly, sensitively. Had anybody tried to wrestle the volatile R male off the plane who knows what injuries might have been suffered.
Plenty of video evidence available to charge the man later with R abuse of that unfortunate woman.
Airport Police would have been called for the ejection work had the geezer not fully calmed down. In an in-flight similar scenario, male passengers would undoubtedly have done what was necessary to ensure passenger safety for remainder of flight.
Is he British ? I’m deaf , can’t hear his accent …
@Terry Cahill: It doesn’t matter what country he is from. There are racists everywhere.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Yes it does, smart alec ! … I asked a question, nothing to do with racism… I wanted to know if he was british because he said “ don’t speak to me in a foreign language on a flight originating in Barcelona , according to the written text , and I cannot hear , so I am interested… nothing to do with racism for me. Idiot !
@Terry Cahill: he’s English
@Seamus Mac: Thank you ! much obliged .
@Terry Cahill: Holy crap, you sound more like the bloke on the plane with that aggression. Where did I say it had anything to do with racism for you? I was just stating fact. There are racists everywhere. Just Google anger management.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Yeah but you’re worse than Hitler, at least you wouldn’t find Hitler playing jungle music at 3am in the morning
@Terry Cahill: bit of an over reaction there
@Fr. Fintan Stack: if you say that again, I’ll put your head through the feckin wall :)
@Paul: well I’ve had my fun and that’s all that matters
@Terry Cahill: Yes he’s English.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Apologies.. sorry
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: yeah, I apologise.
@Terry Cahill: Well that makes you just about the biggest man (or woman) on this forum. We all say stuff from time to time and wish we could reword it a bit. Apology accepted.
@Terry Cahill: fair play
Is there a link for the video?
@Siobhan Rosemary: https://www.rt.com/uk/441856-passenger-rant-rynair-flight/
@Patricia Ellis Dunne: thanks you!
@Patricia Ellis Dunne: thanks for the link. That poor woman. I don’t think all that guys dogs are barking.
He should’ve been made to move seats not her .
All the brave men around Kent quiet and said nothing! Even the person recoding said nothing.
@Gearoid Mag Lennain: nope the man sitting behind him stepped up.
No doubt that racist toad Niall Boylan, on his show on 4fm , will have a discussion on this racist incident. Which will descend into a endless justifying of racism by his usual line of vile racist callers.
@Michael Ryan: What
@Michael Ryan: you really do have something against Niall Boylan, you get him into most of your comments recently. Is he your father who disowned you or something?
@Michael Ryan: Say what you like about Boykin, you seem to have an obvious hatred of the man, but he’s definitely not racist. Stupid comment.
@Michael Ryan: Please back up that statement and accusation of Niall Boylan being racist with some factual information? I don’t listen to him much but am genuinely interested to hear what he has said that that is racist?
@Headtheball: He’s white, straight and a conservative. Therefore, according to looney leftist logic he is Adolf Hitler incarnate and does not deserve to live
@Michael Ryan: cop yourself on .
@Michael Ryan: huh?
@Headtheball: Niall Boylan asked his listeners to respond to the text poll last year “should all Africans be deported?” He was greatly pleased with the positive to the poll.
His show is noting but a sewage of racism & xenophobia.
Don’t call a man racist with no proof, it’s demeaning of his character and a horrible thing to say. From what I can gather you don’t like the man, that’s fair but don’t make up lies.
Hey Pavee Point this is real racism
Look at us ye arguing on a social media platform what age are ye at all. Yer like a couple of spolit kids. POOR woman must have been traumatized. He should have been arrested and thrown into a cell with linford Christie.
This man should of been taking off the plane and charged and put into a sell over night then make an apology to that lady
with some cash to book another flight !! .
She could of also booked two seats at the side with her daughter as you never know who’s going to sit beside you ,
have your say