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Men’s network and Labour Women condemn Garda ‘rape’ remarks

Lobby groups representing both sexes – as well as three Garda unions – speak out against comments heard in recordings.

LOBBY GROUPS REPRESENTING both sexes have this afternoon condemned the remarks caught on video tape in which it appears gardaí make rape ‘jokes’ in relation to two women arrested at Rossport.

The Men’s Development Network said it was “shocked but not surprised” at the audio released, explaining that “men sometimes display a serious lack of awareness and sensitivity about women”.

“There are some deeply entrenched sexist attitudes that are expressed by some men through comments like those heard in this recording,” chief executive Alan O’Neill commented.

“The particular comments made by male gardaí on this occasion are an extreme example of sexism, with suggestions of sexual violence against one of the women coupled with demeaning comments about her.”

The women’s section of the Labour Party, meanwhile, said the comments illustrated a “casual attitude” towards “one of the most serious crimes that can be committed, second only to murder.”

Labour Women chair Katherine Dunne said the attitudes of young men had been sculpted by “easy access to pornography” which had led to rapes often imitating “actions of pornography imagery”. She said:

This is also a matter of child protection as even young children are exposed to the casual attitude to sexual violence. Without consumers, we would not have such a powerful sex industry.

Three of the four associations representing gardaí – the Association of Garda Superintendents, the Association of Garda Chief Superintendents and the Garda Representative Association – have also condemned the comments.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, meanwhile, told RTE’s Paul Reynolds that it would be “inappropriate” to comment on the tape while its content was still the subject of two separate investigations.

Women protesters speak of shock and horror after ‘rape jokes’ claim >

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    Mute Felicity Scott
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    Sep 10th 2011, 9:24 PM

    The rich and the corrupt attented Bertie’s birthday. I didn’t see ANYONE who was ‘great’ OR ‘good’

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    Mute Guinness Follower
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    Sep 11th 2011, 8:59 AM

    Pat Gilroy.

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    Mute Johnny Campbell
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    Sep 10th 2011, 8:57 PM

    ..Well done to Prof Crown great to see, he is fairly impressive so far and knows what he’s talking about. He put Reilly in his place over the Roscommon stats.I wouldn think Reilly a very very wealthy man would do the same!!!
    But the seanad still has to be abolished…..

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    Mute Antoinette Murphy
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    Sep 10th 2011, 11:57 PM

    Why would you want an umbrella in windy weather? They’re more trouble than good in high winds! It’s a raincoat you want, or to stay in your nice cosy bed.

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Sep 11th 2011, 12:09 AM

    I thought it would have gone without saying that a hurricane brings more than just wind…

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    Mute Antoinette Murphy
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    Sep 11th 2011, 12:24 AM

    Have you tried putting up an umbrella in 130km winds gavin?

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    Mute Felicity Scott
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    Sep 10th 2011, 9:23 PM

    Gavan, the Irish born child was taken to Syria from Cyprus, not taken to Cyprus from Cyprus.

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Sep 10th 2011, 9:40 PM

    That’s a very unfortunate typo, and one I’ve hastened to rectify.

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    Mute Stephen McConnell
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    Sep 11th 2011, 4:05 AM

    That video is some pretty impressive contact juggling; no reason to suspect doctoring though.

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