Sinn Fein MP distances herself from ‘offensive’ autism remarks

[AGXStarseed]

(Not written by me)

Michelle Gildernew retweeted the Kevin Meagher article but deleted her retweet when she became aware of its content


Sinn Fein embroiled in another social media controversy

A Sinn Fein MP has moved to disassociate herself from a controversial article which compared the DUP to autistic people.

The party has found itself embroiled in another social media storm after Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew retweeted a link to an article penned by political commentator Kevin Meagher, who was once special advisor to former secretary of state Shaun Woodward.

In the piece published by the Huffington Post, Mr Meagher – a fervent supporter of a united Ireland – claimed unionist politicians “make difficult situations worse with a combination of bellicosity and mean-spiritedness”.

He added: “Frankly, if the DUP was a person, modern etiquette would see them cut them some slack on the suspicion they had a spectrum disorder.”

Mental health activists have slammed Mr Meagher’s remarks and called for him to apologise.

Mrs Gildernew has also come under fire for circulating the article.

While Sinn Fein acknowledged that Mrs Gildernew did retweet the link posted by Mr Meagher, the party told the News Letter that the former agriculture minister had done so without reading the article.

“When it was pointed out to her that there were offending comments in the Huffington Post article she immediately deleted her retweet and entirely disassociates herself from the offending comments,” a party spokesperson said.

Condemning the remarks contained in the article, Mrs Gildernew said: “No one should make comparisons like these as they are inherently offensive.”

This latest social media controversy comes just days after Sinn Fein’s Barry McElduff resigned as an MP after posting a video of himself with a loaf of Kingsmill-branded bread on his head, on the 42nd anniversary of the Kingsmills massacre.

His party colleague, Mairtin O Muilleoir MLA was also criticised for retweeting the video and was warned by the party to be more responsible on social media.

Ryan Hendry, who is autistic, hit out at Mrs Gildernew for retweeting Mr Meagher’s post and said it “made a mockery” of the party’s rhetoric on respect and equality.

The Carrickfergus man, who works for advocacy group Autistic UK, told the News Letter: “I was hurt and disappointed by these comments made by Mr Meagher, who seems to be making the case that all autistic people are belligerent and difficult to work with.

“The fact that it has been retweeted by Gildernew is also disappointing.

“I’ve no real love for the DUP or any political party in Northern Ireland, but this makes Sinn Fein’s talk of respect and equality seem hollow.

“It should not be acceptable in 2018 to use disability as a slur or insult. This is stigmatising people with autism.”

Calling for Mr Meagher to issue an apology, Mr Hendry added: “Society’s perception of autism has changed a lot in recent years but it is comments like this which show me there is still a long way to go. It is not acceptable and should not be tolerated.”

Mr Meagher faced a barrage of criticism on social media, with many calling him to retract his article and apologise.

The News Letter reached out to Mr Meagher for a comment yesterday, but we received no response at the time of going to press.


Source: Sinn Fein MP distances herself from ‘offensive’ autism remarks

 

[Streetwise]

ahh irish people being abusive to or about autistic people again

 

[pjcnet]

Yes Kevin Meagher's remarks are somewhat insulting and gives us clues about what he really thinks, but because it's political the opposition parties will blow it up into the biggest possible controversy to cause as much damage as possible to Sinn Fein after Michelle Gildernew stupidly re-tweeted the remark, now MANY times more people will hear about the controversial comments. Kevin Meagher is bound to regret that some of his real feelings slipped out in this way, but an apology won't really mean anything as it will only be a desperate attempt to save his face and reduce the damage to his character, he is very unlikely to truly mean it and is only really upset that he's been so severely condemned for it. I'd also comment on the parties themselves, but this would be need to be in the Politics & Religion forum.

ahh irish people being abusive to or about autistic people again

I would just like to say that this is obviously not all Irish people, the vast majority are unlikely to feel the same and a lot will be angered by these remarks. Most Irish people won't like hearing about other Irish individuals coming out with comments such as this or behaving badly as they know some people will tar them with the same brush, it's similar when we hate reading about autistic individuals who have been condemned for serious crimes or other bad things when we know we're different to them. There are always going to be a minority of people with offensive and/or controversial views on autism, but I doubt there's a higher percentage of such people in Ireland than in any other parts of Great Britain including England, Wales and Scotland, or even in many other countries around the world such as other European countries, USA, Canada Etc. I'd much rather be in any of these countries including Ireland than some 3rd world countries however, this is where autistic and people with disabilities can often really suffer, but even then we can't say that everyone who lives in 3rd world countries are the same.

 

[Judge]

The sentiments I can certainly understand. But to use autism as means of disparaging political adversaries, that is not acceptable- ever. Whether one is a unionist/imperialist or nationalist, makes no difference.

26 + 6 = 1, but please leave autism out of this equation.

 

[Streetwise]

Yes Kevin Meagher's remarks are somewhat insulting and gives us clues about what he really thinks, but because it's political the opposition parties will blow it up into the biggest possible controversy to cause as much damage as possible to Sinn Fein after Michelle Gildernew stupidly re-tweeted the remark, now MANY times more people will hear about the controversial comments. Kevin Meagher is bound to regret that some of his real feelings slipped out in this way, but an apology won't really mean anything as it will only be a desperate attempt to save his face and reduce the damage to his character, he is very unlikely to truly mean it and is only really upset that he's been so severely condemned for it. I'd also comment on the parties themselves, but this would be need to be in the Politics & Religion forum.


I would just like to say that this is obviously not all Irish people, the vast majority are unlikely to feel the same and a lot will be angered by these remarks. Most Irish people won't like hearing about other Irish individuals coming out with comments such as this or behaving badly as they know some people will tar them with the same brush, it's similar when we hate reading about autistic individuals who have been condemned for serious crimes or other bad things when we know we're different to them. There are always going to be a minority of people with offensive and/or controversial views on autism, but I doubt there's a higher percentage of such people in Ireland than in any other parts of Great Britain including England, Wales and Scotland, or even in many other countries around the world such as other European countries, USA, Canada Etc. I'd much rather be in any of these countries including Ireland than some 3rd world countries however, this is where autistic and people with disabilities can often really suffer, but even then we can't say that everyone who lives in 3rd world countries are the same.

i disagree there are other incidences where irish school teachers were being abusive to autistic children and local authorities paying lip service to descrimination and equality

 

[Judge]

i disagree there are other incidences where irish school teachers were being abusive to autistic children and local authorities paying lip service to descrimination and equality

Does that warrant condemning an entire nationality for the transgressions of a few?

No- of course not. People who have abused autistic people can be found under any flag.

 

[Streetwise]

Does that warrant condemning an entire nationality for the transgressions of a few?

No- of course not. People who have abused autistic people can be found under any flag.

its my opinion