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A SINN FÉIN councillor has defended using the term ‘West Brits’ to describe the people who run Irish rugby.
Micheál Mac Donncha, who is also running for Sinn Fein at the next election, said the Facebook comment reflects the views of a lot of people he would talk to.
The Donaghmede-based councillor made the comment on Sinn Féin senator David Cullinane’s Facebook page on Saturday evening following Japan’s shock victory over South Africa at the World Cup.
Commenters on Cullinane’s status were lamenting the fact that Amhrán na bhFiann was not played prior to the Irish rugby team’s victory over Canada earlier in the day.
Mac Donncha said the reason for this was an “inferiority complex and anti-national attitude of the West Brits who still run Irish rugby”.
Ireland’s rugby team uses ‘Ireland’s Call’ as its designated anthem whenever they are playing outside the country. The song and Amrán na bhFiann are both played when they are playing at home.
Ireland’s Call was commissioned by the IRFU in the 1990s and is intended to reflect that the Irish rugby side, unlike the soccer teams, represents the whole island of Ireland.
‘West Brit’ is a derogatory term used to describe Irish people who take an interest in British affairs or are condescending towards nationalist issues.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie today Mac Donncha defended the remark, saying:
It was a Facebook comment, it wasn’t a public statement. I think I reflect the attitude of a lot of people who regard the fact there is no playing of the national anthem as being an anti-national attitude.
He said it was a personal view, not Sinn Féin’s and reflects the views of a lot of people he would talk to.
Fine Gael councillor Neale Richmond condemned the remarks, describing them as “petty sniping”.
He said: “This is really disappointing from an elected Sinn Fein representative, at a time when the whole island can join together to get behind our rugby team, he chooses to go for a cut at the many volunteers that administer rugby across Ireland, North and South.”
“The term West Brit is extremely derogatory and had no place in a modern, progressive Ireland.”
“It is important that we respect the cultural sensitivities of all the men and women who represent Ireland at rugby with such pride and this sort of petty sniping has no place at such an exciting time for Irish rugby fans.”
When it was put to him that some people find the term offensive, MacDonncha said:
That may be but there it is.
The Dublin Bay North Dáil candidate said he did not consider the term offensive.
Asked if he was referring to the IRFU in his comment, MacDonncha would only say: “If the cap fits, wear it.”
He declined to comment further. Sinn Féin did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.
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I’m off to cut a Mars Bar into 4… Feck the begrudgers
@⚡ Seánie ⚡: it’s even more fun when you glue four Kitkat Chunkies together and see the reaction from others.
@Harry Whitehead: brilliant :)
@Harry Whitehead: All Kit Kat lovers will never forgive you for that scurrilous comment. Sacrilege of the highest order. Will not sit at table in canteen at work with the unbelievers who produce supermarket home brands of Kit Kat. Peasants who do not know the true meaning of four fingers.
Did they give two fingers to KitKat
Ah here…… take a break lads
Just as well they stamp their name on each bar or I wouldn’t have a clue what I was eating……..
Can i have a Kit Kat chunky?
Sorry, we only have the ordinary ones…
That`s what i meant, you fa..
@Pixie McMullen: 10/10
My whole life has been a lie
I’m never satisfied by one kit-kat, I need about 3 of them they’re all finger and no chocolate if you ask me
Tough Break..
Two fingers to them so
The fact that they even asked has put me off kitkats
Mind you, people were familiar with the real Toblerone shape before the other company took chunks out of it at their discretion. I didn’t hear that company arguing that people had come to expect the usual trademark shape. With all the usual triangles.
Two fingers to them so!!
FFS REALLY!!!!
Have a break have a quick crap…
Have a break have a tandem!
Two fingers by two to Nestle! Nice to be mid silly season !!
Its the twox2 fingers for Nestle so.
Leo bars are much more wide spread in Belgium I’d say the average Belgian would think ok Leo if you showed them the Kitkat shape can’t nestle just be happy with their regional trademarks can’t have an Eu one if it’s not popular or even we’ll known in EU.
I guess the court gave them the..eh…two fingers!!
have your say