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A FINE GAEL councillor, who hopes to run in the next general election, was told to “get the queers to vote for you” in a message written on a letter she sent to party members.
Councillor Sharon Tolan received the anonymous message on one of the letters she sent to the party’s 400 members in Louth-East Meath seeking their support ahead of Fine Gael’s selection convention in the constituency next week.
Tolan, who strongly campaigned for a Yes vote in the recent marriage referendum, said she was now weighing up a complaint to party headquarters about the matter.
It’s unclear whether the message was written by a disgruntled member who received the letter or someone else.
The message, which Tolan received in the post yesterday morning, was written across the bottom of the letter with the member’s name at the top scribbled out.
It states:
Get the queers to vote for you. Fine Gael will not get our votes.
The Meath county councillor told TheJournal.ie: “I was shocked at the incredibly toxic tone of the message, and to be honest this is totally at odds with the response I have received in general to my canvass.”
The mother-of-three was a strong supporter of a Yes vote in the same-sex marriage referendum and canvassed the constituency along with the Yes Equality group.
However, Tolan said she was the subject of a backlash from some quarters locally with abusive emails sent to her and council colleagues who also backed a Yes vote.
“I even received gay porn where the men had 666 written across their foreheads. You just delete it because they’re nameless and faceless but this irks me. This is a member – probably a former member now – who I probably know and this is how they’re feeling.
She said she would now consider filing a complaint with the party over the matter.
Tolan hopes to be one of the Fine Gael candidates for the competitive five-seat constituency where the party already has two sitting TDs, Fergus O’Dowd and Peter Fitzpatrick.
Fellow councillors Dolores Minogue, Colm Markey and Paddy Meade are also putting their names forward at the convention, which takes place next Thursday.
It’s unclear whether Fine Gael will opt for a two or three candidate strategy but the party is likely to have at least one female on the ticket in order to comply with gender quotas.
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Loss of a national treasure.
R.I.P. Paddy.
RIP Paddy. Right up there with Luke, Jim McCann, Ronnie Drew and so many others. A huge loss to not only the Irish music scene but much further afield also, to every corner of Europe, Asia and the Americas where they always seemed to have a following.
I am English by birth, but I always enjoyed the music of the Chieftains, especially Paddy Moloney. RIP genius of Irish music, your like will be hard to find again.
He looked great on the late late around the end of last year, new year’s special i think. He was on a zoom call and whipped out a tin whistle from his pocket and played a tune. A national treasure, rest in peace.
He gave so much enjoyment to so many people. A great loss to the Irish traditional legacy!
If there was ever a man who had Ireland in his soul…..
RIP Paddy.
ah jaysus! RIP
@Miriam: no Paddy.
He played at my Grandads funeral with a set of my Grandads pipes, I’ve seen him live a few times since, RIP Paddy. Thanks for everything.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
He entertained the world, not just Ireland which he also helped to stand out internationally, in the field of music. Ireland now mourns a great loss. My condolences to his family and friends.
RIP
Rip Paddy. Long time family friend from the late 70′s and 80′s. My dad rescued him in the snowstorm in wicklow with a bottle of whisky. Those were the days.
A real national treasure, may his God bless him
Rip.
Great loss to all.
A musical genius.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam dílis.
End of an era RIP. Condolences to his family.
His tin whistle solo on the lowlands of holland is a thing of beauty.
Ah another great legend of Irish music departs to the great concert in the sky. He was a true genius R.I.P. Paddy
Such a gentleman, may he rest in peace
RIP legend
Aww. Terrible loss. May he rest in peace.
One of irelands best loved musician. Rest in peace Paddy.
Brilliant man
Very sad news RIP Paddy
:(
Scíth a ligean
RIP. Was he part of Sean O’Riada music and influence in early years?
@Tim Oleary: Yes, the Ceoltoiri Chualann. If you look up the Nationwide episode on the RTE player from last Friday week when they did the special on Sean you will spot paddy a few times in the pictures.
A real legend of Irish music and a huge legacy left behind.
@Pete Trevaskis: Appreciated
@Tim Oleary: Yes. But in my opinion he is far more important than O’Riada, and is truly responsible for the revival of traditional Irish music. O’Riada was a brilliant academic. But Moloney was a pure musician to his soul. Ar dheis dé.
His Legacy to us will live on through the many many people he inspired. He is one of those people who always made you smile while tapping your feet and he always gave more than he received. He may have moved on but his music will always be with us. Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam dilis
A true gem, RIP.
My granny used to live next door to him. Very nice neighbour. He brought her in cooked meals when she couldn’t cook any more
Sad news.
RIP.
One of the all time greats. He was the original collaborator always thinking outside the box. He is highly regarded across the world and will continue to be so. Music, particularly Irish music, has lost a true legend. Rest easy Paddy.
He brought joy to all who embraced his music style. What an inspiration to all. He and Liam Og O Floinn were the architects of the transition from the old traditional Irish music to the broader outward looking style of today. RIP.
Great musician and entertainer rolled into one. His commentaries between playing were always interesting and jovial…RIP
Such a sad week for traditional music with the loss of Paddy Moloney and Tony McMahon.
RIP Paddy.
RIP a true legend.
What a legend RIP
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