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File image of Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon.

Fine Gael spokesperson for Arts and Culture apologises for online comments about Dublin band

Dublin-based band Sprints have since thanked Ciaran Cannon for the ‘free publicity’.

FINE GAEL’S SPOKESPERSON for Arts, Culture and Media has apologised for disparaging comments he recently made on the performance of an Irish band.

Sprints, self-described as a “Garage noise four piece” based in Dublin, made an appearance on The Tommy Tiernan Show on Saturday to perform their song Little Fix.

In a now deleted tweet, Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon remarked: “I’ve heard better music from slightly embarrassed TY (Transition Year) students.”

However, he has since apologised for the remark and said it was “unfair” of him.

“Wishing @sprintsmusic every success in their career,” tweeted Cannon.

He added: “My sincere apologies to them for my unkind comment, now removed.

“I’m never going to enjoy their music, something that won’t cause them any concern whatsoever.

“It was unfair of me to undermine young people doing their thing.”

Sprints have since thanked the public for the support they’ve received following Cannon’s now-deleted tweet and also “thanked” Cannon for the “free publicity”.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féín’s Eoin Ó Broin offered a very differing opinion to that of Cannon, tweeting that every song of Sprints is “jump around the room brilliant”.

He added: “If this is what TY students are doing these days then let’s have more of it.”

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    Mute Daniel Kevin Sullivan
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 4:36 PM

    Man doesn’t like thing, expresses opinion, has to retract cos you can only say positive things now.

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    Mute Lad
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 8:12 PM

    @Daniel Kevin Sullivan: He expressed his opinion through an insult and he’s a minister for that vocation. It’s not the same.

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    Mute Brian Haines
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 3:37 PM

    Sounds like the minister escaped from his handlers for the day !

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    Mute KilkennyProud
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 3:40 PM

    @Brian Haines: He is not a minister.

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    Mute Ciaran
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 3:59 PM

    It was a brainless tweet..

    But also Eoin O Brion acting like a teachers pet putting in a comment jumping on a band wagon of trying to seem cool and relevant to anything outside of politics and Harry Potter reenactment societies..

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    Mute Tom Hogarty
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 4:04 PM

    @Ciaran: Ouch, that’s come across as downright rude, uncalled for and perhaps more than a tad personal, I’m sure that wasn’t your intention? (I mean the EOB note, of course).

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    Mute John Mcmahon
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 5:00 PM

    @Ciaran: Eoin is cool and relevant

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    Mute alan
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 6:41 PM

    @John Mcmahon: whiff of cordite brigade lol

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    Mute Marg FitzGerald
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 7:23 PM

    @John Mcmahon: To whom?

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    Mute UK Hurling Bloke
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 4:41 PM

    I don’t share his opinion, but why should he have delete it or apologise?.
    It was just an expression of what he really thought. A subjective opinion he should be entitled to express.

    Retreating and conforming to dumbed down populist expectations and toxic positivity is far worse imo…

    You cannot say things like that…
    You must think like this..
    Don’t risk upsetting someone who may get offended on behalf of someone else they don’t even know….
    Do not ever express what you really think or feel…you must conform to the norm.

    It’s just..“ ‘young people’ doing their thing”.
    Lol.

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    Mute Chris Flynn
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 5:36 PM

    @UK Hurling Bloke: Why should he have to apologise? Because he is a spokesperson for arts and culture, pretty obvious that he is performing counter to this role when he is disparaging local artists with a subjective opinion.

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    Mute UK Hurling Bloke
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    Jan 24th 2023, 12:45 AM

    @Chris Flynn: He can’t say this. Oh he shouldn’t say that….

    Who are you to speak (or be offended) on behalf of the band ffs ?!…You do not live in their minds. You are not in the band….

    Sprints in good spirit said they are grateful for the attention mate….and I get that. You obvs don’t.

    The arts is all about subjectivity….
    It’s not science or maths…(except for math rock – but you probably haven’t a clue what that is either)

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    Mute Maria
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 4:32 PM

    It’s not often I agree with a politician but I thought they were awful too!

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    Mute Stephen Deegan
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 3:58 PM

    I’m sure the band aren’t too worried about it. Ciarán Cannons music is of a different genre to them. A different generation too!

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    Mute Simon O Callaghan
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 4:04 PM

    Cracking tune !! @ ciaran good manners cost nothing lad.

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    Mute Liam Ó hAodha
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 5:12 PM

    That’s great Maria only you’re not Government spokesperson for Arts and Culture

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    Mute ferris
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 5:12 PM

    Maybe he thought he was logged in under a different account…possible!!!

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    Mute Marg FitzGerald
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 7:22 PM

    Did he apologise to TY students?

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    Mute JG
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 7:50 PM

    Probably the worst music I’ve ever heard “live” on TV.

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    Mute Tom's
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    Jan 23rd 2023, 6:41 PM

    Another little nail in their coffin

    20
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