Ireland: Slander and Lies

[HM]

Our nasty new friends - Editorial, Opinion - Independent.ie

Our new self-appointed friends include the notorious Jean-Marie le Pen and the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). Reasons for shunning such people are far deeper than objections to antics like wearing green T-shirts and using our national flag as a tablecloth. They have no love of Ireland. Gratitude for last week's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty is mixed with contempt. They want to promote their own isolationist and racist agenda, to divorce Britain from Europe. The Lisbon vote suits their ends. It would not suit Irish ends if we found ourselves isolated and back in Britain's shadow.

"They want to promote their own isolationist and racist agenda, to divorce Britain from Europe". Three LIES in there (not isolationist, not racist, don't want to divorce Britain from Europe). The "racist agenda" bit is SLANDER.

I am infuriated by all the Irish press having a go at UKIP. We weren't even campaigning there - all we did was highlight and congratulate the will of the Irish people - but they've still managed to slag us off . I am very angry.

[Aardvark]

It's potentially libellous as being published; slander is spoken.

[HM]

More reports:
Dail begins debate on Lisbon referendum outcome - Politics - Ireland - Breaking News - Belfast Telegraph

Brian Cowen... said groups "headed by the likes of Jean Marie Le Pen and Nigel Farrage[sic]" were welcoming the vote and "no proud Irish man or woman could but be uneasy that they rejoice in our decision"

UKIP use Irish flag as beer mat - National News, Frontpage - Herald.ie

Not exactly been the press field day we'd been seeking, has it?

[HM]

And there's more!
**© The Ulster Herald - General Features

It was interesting to watch the reaction of the extremist anti-European United Kingdom Independence Party.

Loony Eurosceptics cosy up to their new Irish bedfellows - Analysis, Opinion - Independent.ie

The European Parliament protest was led by UKIP -- the United Kingdom Independence Party, the golf club version of the BNP, British National Party.

[a swansong 4 europe]

So, according to their logic a right-winger on the anti side is odious and to be avoided, but if the said same Le Pen or UKIP had said they wanted to be "in Europe, not run by Europe" type of Tory drivel or "Europe is great", then everything is hunky-dory?

Usual truth mismanagement by our defenders of liberty.

[Mikeuk]

using our national flag as a tablecloth.

I can think of several possible uses for the Fenian flag, and they don't include tablecloth.

[Mikeuk]

And there's more!
**© The Ulster Herald - General Features


Loony Eurosceptics cosy up to their new Irish bedfellows - Analysis, Opinion - Independent.ie

Calm down. You have to take this kind of sh*t in politics.

Was it you that emailed me begging me not to mention that you were still in short pants? I suggest you start growing up fast.

[Aardvark]

Poltically not a good move.

[C_steam]

British Eurosceptics spent last Friday using the Irish tricolour as a beer mat and to hold an ash tray.

Despite wearing shirts saying “Respect the Irish Vote”, it seems that members of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) did not have the same level of respect for our flag.

A massive row erupted yesterday after UKIP members declared Ireland “their new friends” and donned green,white and gold jumpers.

One British member even wore a leprechaun hat to the parliamentary debate on the preparation of the upcoming European Summit after the results of the Irish referendum

However, these pictures show that while the referendum results were being announced on Friday, the same “friends of Ireland” were using the Irish flag as a tablecloth in Kitty O'Shea's pub in the heart of Brussels.

As the No result became inevitable, the large group proceeded to spill beer over the flag and use it as a coaster for cigarettes.

RTE television footage taken in the bar clearly shows the group toasting the win with pints of Guinness, Kilkenny and Bulmers – which they then placed on top of the tricolour. Avril Doyle this morning described how the “leader of the ‘gang' was Nigel Farrage of the UKIP.

Given the picture, and the fact that without doubt the group are using the irish flag - the flag of a very proud nation - in exactly the way described, how can anyone defend this?

On the evidence presented, the press coverage has the UKIP delegation bang to rights.

Of course, it could be a cooked up story with a staged photograph, in which case someone needs to say so quickly.

Very poor form by the group in the picture.

[stathan]

Whoever the knob is who thought it was a good idea to dump beer and fags all over the Irish flag needs stringing up.


However as regards the other anti British comments I note that the 'Proud Irish' never flinch from holding out their hands for annual British (not EU) money to support their lifestyles and country, whilst our own impoverished areas such as my own, continue hand over our hard earned tax pounds whlie our hospitals,schools and other facilities fall to pieces.


It's a touch galling to listen to the Irish boast about a tiger economy and having larger average wages than our own when we are still giving them our money.