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A GESTURE MADE by Taoiseach Enda Kenny during yesterday’s Dáil debate on the Budget has come under scrutiny today.
Kenny was filmed making what appears to be a punching gesture with his hands as Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald was delivering her response to the budget measures.
The video was posted on Twitter yesterday and sparked quite a strong reaction from some:
We contacted a government spokesperson this evening to find out what Kenny was actually doing. They told us:
The Taoiseach was paying close attention to the deputy’s speech as he had to all Budget speeches given yesterday. Analysing a four second video for meaning that doesn’t exist is pointless.
Meanwhile McDonald was in no doubt about what Kenny was doing. While she was glad he was listening, the Dublin Central TD had some advice:
I’m relieved that the Taoiseach was listening intently, however a punching gesture is unusual behaviour to say the least and I would suggest not to be repeated.
I’d say Enda’s an angry bollix out of the spotlight.
I don’t think that’s an accurate assessment of him at all, Sarge. He’s very good at positioning himself and, as we’ve seen, he has no problem in shafting people. I’d say he’s quite the vindictive sort, actually.
Enda needs to control that temper. A few rounds with Mike Tyson might sort that problem out. Bull dog Kenny should be his new name.
He spent 30 odd years as a no-one in the Dail vin and not a single achievement to his name in all that time. He didn;t do that intentionally and when the praetiorian guard found this stumbling and mumbling idiot behind the curtain, they made him emperor.
Even after the heave, he still put those that opposed him in his cabinet out of fear, no other reason. no coincidence either that those that were on his side during that heave are now dead and buried. Reilly, Shatter, and less so Phil Hogan who couldn’t have faced the electorate. Bruton is the the only one that remains and there’s mo love lost.
I fail to see his ruthlessness or his ability as a political operator. I just don’t see it and never have. He fumbles from one episode to the next and among his own party and peers is not respected.
No Brian..just a bollix
well sarge that’s a most excellent description of our ‘leader’.
No fan of sinn féin or fg. But let’s be clear: If a male SF TD did this while looking at a female FG TD giving a speech, there would be some serious righteous anger on display today. The indo would be calling it incitement to violence and dragging up the violent past. The rest of the press would follow suit and there would be a long debate where the likes of Enda, Joan and others would weigh in, expressing their horror at this outrageous action. Pathetic the way he’s getting away with this. And for those that say “he didn’t actually hit her” well that says a serious amount about you as a person.
it’s a pity sarge that your hated for all things republican tarnished your posts.
I love republicans. I just don’t like shinners.
Evil wee runt We all know what he was thinking ,but he knows the media will NEVER discredit him ..much to their shame
And Mary Lou was recently saying this guy that raped Maria Cahill was “no republican” as if she is the arbiter of who is or who isn’t? Where does her arrogance stop? That would be no different to me saying someone was or wasn’t “an Irishman” . I mean, you couldn’t make this stuff up. And FF call themselves “The Republican Party” on election posters too. No time for them either.
the Maria Cahill case had its day with legal eagles. the background to the ‘case’ tells you what you need to know.
Sgt Pepper, some Labour party members,ex Stickies no less, ministers in government in their time, not to long ago either. Are not strangers to criminal activity. Criminal liars as well. Where’s your ire for them?
oh she’s no angel and is little more than a political wannabe imo. But she did a lot of damage to SF and handled it brilliantly. In fact, she made shit of ML and Gerry and neither have recovered from it and likely won’t either, Margaret. There’s a direct correlation between Gerry’s own popularity rating drop and the Maria Cahill affair. I can only imagine what happened to Mary Lou’s political leader rating (which is not covered in those polls).
Cahill is a very smooth political operator.
Your dislikes does not mean there is a shred of truth in your assertions either Sgt Pepper,
Dave, I have plenty of Ire for them, but little patience for logical fallacies like yours where you bring in an unrelated assumption and try to use it as a counterpoint. It isn’t.
“Your dislikes does not mean there is a shred of truth in your assertions either Sgt Pepper,”
Jesus, Dave. Gerry and Mary already admitted it happened ffs. take it up with your party leadership.
Personally i dont give a flying one for what you have patience for Sgt.. The subject is Enda Kenny, not your personal dislikes, or what you have selective patience for.
well correlation does not imply causation. the media in this country laps up this stuff (wonder why). but Gerry has been around an awful long time.
hey sarge why dont you check the background of some labour people and their husbands before you go on a rant
You’re the one who tried to change the subject, Davie kid.
“Sgt Pepper, some Labour party members,ex Stickies no less,”
That’s the thing about comments boards like this. Anyone can just scroll up and see where you made your mistake.
Ah Jesus, Derek.
Quick!! Look over there —————–>
I’m no lab rat either. Why do you lot take it so personally when people attack your beloved party? It’s like North Korea where Gerry is concerned. Fcuking hell. Lighten up. Is he your daddy or something?
no sarge… you started it. go back and read your posts.
His attack on the Vatican in 2011 in the wake of the Cloyne Report was very shrewd political maneuvering. He deliberately picked an emotive topic that has negatively affected many Irish people and generated an interest worldwide as the first senior Irish politician to publicly denounce the Church.
Given that the embassy was reopened and his government plans to seal all major industrial school and orphanage investigation records for 75 years, it shows the level of cynicism within the man when it comes to putting words into practice but, politically speaking, it was quite astute. Horrible, but shrewd of him to manipulate the public mood..
I don’t care for the man one bit; he embodies virtually everything that’s wrong with Irish politics from his “political dynasty” roots to his marriage to a former press secretary of one Charles J Haughey but I’m certain that he would step over you in a heartbeat behind the scenes. He’s an unconvincing leader who goes out of his way to go under the radar; bit of the antithesis of what a leader is supposed to do, really, but I have no doubt that if it came to shafting someone he’d think nothing of it.
Also, given that Mary Hanafin was elected just last year in the Local elections I wouldn’t rule out the resurfacing of Reilly and Shatter in times to come. Hogan will never stand for election here again – he pretty much won the lottery in spite of setting up Irish Water and threatening the Irish public.
Yes, I agree the Vatican attack was shrewd but that came from this man, and this guy is actually pulling the strings – http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/john-drennan/unveiled-at-last-the-man-who-really-runs-enda-kenny-30748012.html
And the speech was written for him too of course. I don’t think he’s anything other than a puppet on a string> His staying under the radar has more to do with incompetence, fear of interviews, and good old foot in mouth.
Sarge, nice rant and all but your the one who originally changed the subject….. That one’s a loss for you kid….
The treatment of Maria ( lets not forget about all the others )in the kangaroo court and since tells us a lot about the abusers and their comrades !!
she had her day with legal eagles
Brilliant and extremely accurate description of this bumbling idiot Sgt pepper… He better beware the ides of March too !
Youre some tulip sarge if you look closely at my page youll see that I served in the defence forces and following sf is completely against my beliefs, But then again im not hiding behind a false profile like you . D..KHEAD.
ah fake profiles are cool. it’s the multiple ones that are a pain (because they are the usual annoying trolls)
@ Bill Madden
Maria Cahill’s recent political opportunism pretty much shows how agenda driven she is.
Get a life you sad lot ,nothing better to do now than focus on the taoiseach’s body language ,when you add in the personal insults it is easy to see that you have lost the battle .
I was badly mistaken thinking that you were driven by vision and policies .Maybe the taoiseach is still terrified of facing all shinners .
as did we hurt your feelings? I hope so.
The journal would try to make a story out of nothing.
You guys take pleasure in hurting people .
I was thinking the same thing Margaret.
ok how many identities have you got at this stage????
He’s upset the peasants aren’t praising him for the crumbs he gave them.
Sarge – it was Bruton who led the mutiny.
http://www.thejournal.ie/fine-gael-enda-kenny-heave-2155318-Jun2015/
stop…you’re paying him a compliment…….
A bitter, angry little man who clawed his way up the political dunghill in FG, and it certainly took him a long time. He is Taoiseach because he was unknown, gormless, inept, but the people wanted a ‘change’.
Like a stage prop really?
Nah….I’d say he was thinking of the beatin’ he’s going to take off Merkel when she finds out he’s borrowed €1.5 billion to give to the peasants.
You heard today on RTE News that the E.U. is allowing this budge because they know the amount of cuts for the next budget will balance this one out???
RTE said that 800 million of the 1.5 or 1.7 billion will go directly to Irish Water and that was reported a few days ago now…
The money to build their new headquarters has to come from somewhere!
Spaceship with Tin Foil hats… lol.
You’d swear he actually punched her. Slow news day.
The man couldn’t look threatening if we had an AK45…
This is no different to cracking your knuckles or tapping your fingers on a desk. People need to get a life.
But it’s quite clear in the gif he made a punching jester whilst looking at Mary Lou.. It portrays something.. See it as how you wish
Not that that it’s a big deal, but it’s obvious he has problem with sinn féin hence the gesture
Mary Lou would end him if he ever really raised the hand to her….. Actually, I’d quite like to see him try…..
He’s looking at her because she’s speaking. There might be something in it if he made the gesture and looked at her while she wasn’t speaking!
According to WW he has been arrested!
arrested develpment??’
hilarious!
Ah, it was just Enda trying to convince himself that he’s tough.No harm in letting him have his little delusions.
Jamsey, his actions have all the hallmark of a bullying schoolteacher trying to intimidate an unruly pupil.
Oh I know, but look at who he’s trying to intimidate.He’s delusional if he thinks for a second he’s going to make anyone in SF so much as blink….. I heard the same ‘teachers voice’ from Noonan aswell during his speech when he directed the auld ” have you got a problem? ‘ across the floor.They’re ‘clown shoes ‘ if they think that will work with SF members.
What a strange man Enda is.
Enda was rightly pis*ed at Mary Lou, her speech hurt him and his phoney “recovery” spin. He was livid, never mind the hand gesture, which was meant to intimidate, his facial gestures are showing fury. Hard cheese Enda, you were called out and you didn’t like it.
Kennys hand gestures, joans very fake coreographed stances (i’m comfortable here) during leaders questions. What next from this pair of useless muppets!
“Can I just say” is her linguistically switching feet.Who ever advised her to use it should be fired.The sad thing is that it’s painfully obvious that someone is coaching them in body language, oration and rebuttal skills.My guess is Terry Prone or someone similar.It’s like watching a greyhound on a ice rink.
I’m beginning to wonder if Joan’s PR people aren’t closet Shinners considering how unhinged she’s looking recently.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s obvious that the likes of Obama and Clinton use similar people but it’s more subtle.Obama use of pauses instead of saying “ehm” everytime he is thinking of his next sentence is a good indicator.But it seems more natural and convincing than Joan constantly saying ‘ehm’ every two seconds as it comes across as him actually considering what he’s going to say next.Churchill used the same techniques. Listen to Joan or Enda for a few seconds and it sounds like they’re just blurting out the first thing that crosses their mind.
Mary Lou would knock seven shades out of him,if he’d man up and debate.
People really are desperate to be outraged! get a bloody grip!
Take your own advice Nige
Ignorant Little Twit he was no more listening to Mary Lou than he was to anyone else who disagreed with him
I think he must have been preoccupied with the 7month sentence his Nephew got for Drug Possession, car theft and burglary. Nice extended family Enda Kenny has. Castlebar Courthouse today.
Omg I would never tar someone because of something a family member did but this must be why the usual FG trolls are quiet (tap being the exception he can’t help himself the poor pet). they must be having a nap.
Going to bed now Margaret. I have a long day of trolling ahead tomorrow. 7am start. Good night.
ah tap you’ll have to express your revultion at SF more foreceeably.. like you usually do. I’ll be up at 5.30 waiting for you LOL
Seems quite tragic really. Promising young guy, Had played rugby for Ireland, went off the rails, got addicted to valium.
Hope he gets his life back on track.
Not in the same category as Sean Fleming’s son Peter who has been responsible for a litany of crimes in Castletown.
http://www.sundayworld.com/news/crimedesk/td-s-thug-son-back-causing-havoc-after-prison-release
what a pillock! too funny!!
Ends was thinking of getting his little willy in his hand and squeezing it
Rodney Trotter dressed as Robin springs to mind
Margaret Daly, I want to see their reaction. The FG trolls love doing it with SF members extended families and distant contacts. They can give it, can they take it however? That is the question of the day…
Touch of sociopath about him !!
The look on his face makes his actions all the more sinister. Nasty man.
In fairness the man is an idiot.
and watching that clip is scared to hold eye contact with Mary Lou. Pathetic example of a politician.
honestly he seems scared of ANY debate with anyone.
you can bate the wife but u can’t bait a good budget!!!
Awful
Ah Enda beating off while looking at Mary Lou….
Maybe the aould spineless weasel is fond of raising his hands to women. People like that won’t put it up to a man but are happy to hit a woman. Looks like his mask is slipping.
fg gimps pat and co on to protect their dear leader pmsl hugh cant bate a bit of sf action lols deluded
I know um ‘aged’ but that was hard to read. (i know my smart phone typos are disgraceful)
what else would you expect from s right wing extremist like Kenny, a self righteous patronising condescending pig.
whats FG doing then in their attempt to reunite ireland ?? are they happy to for england to occupy the 6 counties ?.irish people on here should be ashamed of themselves for not wanting it.especially fg supporters
Margaret Daly, let’s hope so. But that 7 month’s was a very lenient one. Connections Uncle Enda has couldn’t save him, but probably shaved a few years off. It should be getting plenty of column inches tomorrow, maybe a front page or two also. Lol.
God I don’t know ‘our’ sentencing is a joke regardless of background or connections! enda will probably request a DNA test to dissassociate himself!
Another sad pillock .
So this is another nephew of Ednas? One was locked up for cart theft and joy riding 2 years ago so I’m wondering if it is the same bloke
Why would he need to punch someone when he has friends who are good with their elbows.
yeah,behind doors,an angry man like Kelly.families probably walking as if on eggshells at home.
What a complete numpty
I wonder if any of the shinners used any of the cocked rifle gestures of old.
Doesn’t appear so.
Enda trying to look threatening. Lol. A 65 year old man with a dodgy dye job hair do, I would NOT feel threatened at all by that. Nobody would
He was warming up for a Sean O’Brien blow. The priggish Mary Loo McAdoo had got her thumb up his a$$ once too often. C’est la guerre.
I’d say he was just bored outta his t!ts listening to that big lump and the clowns sitting beside her
Kettle pot black?
A cute Mayo hoor Enda.
Canny as a crate of beans.
Anyone trying to make something of this is an idiot, h could easily have been running his ear, tapping his knee. Unconscious acts.
no you have it wrong Kenny is the idiot !!!
Paul You think thats acceptable behaviour for the leader of a country. Its obvious he wants to punch her. Maybe youre the idiot.
Yeah. I totally agree. It was a totally innocent, accidental gesture. There was a lot going on and a lot on his mind, threatening Mary Lou was not one of them.
Maybe a body language expert could read something into it but he was probably just cracking his knuckles or warming his hands or getting the blood flowing in his hands and probably just simply listening to what Mary Lou was saying.
Perhaps he was thinking about what he was going to say to his friends afterwards, thinking “wow, Mary Lou pulled out all the punches, bam bam bam, she never lets up”.
Margaret ,if thats your real name ,you should devote your undoubted angry talents to reforming the shinners and the lefties so that one day they might become acceptable for government .
isn’t it time you were in bed?
The outrage brigade out in force
Dancing on a trampoline Bollick naked with a dog is also unusual. But I’m not aware MaryLou has asked her leader to desist…
Was that not code lol.
Is he acting an emotionally stunted child who didn’t get his way, Taoiseach Joan is in charge?
Just as well Mary Lou was a few feet away from him, i think he would have pulverised her if she had been beside him. Tut tut Enda
Tough guy with compatriot women in the Dail, obsequious wimp afraid to open his mouth for his country’s interests in Brussels.
He couldn’t find a rhythm stick, so he’s sticking to a type of rhythm method to keep awake lol.
I say at all the protests when Enda or any of these other TDs in government walks by we all do the same thing. The Gardai and courts now have no power to challenge this as Enda himself says it means nothing.
He was listening to, Chumbawamba – Tubthumping…
have your say