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23/11/2011
Scully Resigns As Naas Mayor
Fine Gael Councillor Darren Scully has resigned as Mayor of Naas after saying on a radio interview he would refuse to represent "Black Africans".
Speaking on Tuesday evening, Mr Scully said: "I wish to apologise unreservedly for my remarks on 4FM and KFM. I realise they have caused deep hurt and offence in all communities and in all sectors of society.
"I realise now that my remarks were open to an interpretation that I did not intend. I abhor racism in all its forms."
“I have been proud to be Mayor of Naas and to represent all the people of the town. However, as a result of the upset that I have caused, I feel it is appropriate that I step down from this position.”
On Tuesday, the Fine Gael Mayor was been branded a "racist" by a Labour Party spokesperson.
Speaking to Clem Ryan on KFM's 'Kildare Today', Mr Scully, said he made his decision based on the ''aggressive attitude'' and "bad manners" he had experienced when being dealing with ''black Africans''.
A complaint was been made to gardaí over the comments while Labour TD for Waterford, Ciara Conway said she was absolutely appalled by the Mayor's comments.
"As a mother of a new generation of Irish people, I am absolutely disgusted and sickened by these appallingly ignorant and disgustingly racist comments," said TD Conway.
"How dare a public representative exercise such selectivity? How exactly is he defining people of African origin? I have a daughter of mixed parentage, and she's among a new generation of non-Caucasian Irish citizens. Would Mayor Scully handle her queries?
"I am sickened that in this day and age we have to tackle such small-minded ignorance from bigots like this. Of course, he has qualified his statement by playing the 'I'm not a racist but ...' card."
(DW)
Speaking on Tuesday evening, Mr Scully said: "I wish to apologise unreservedly for my remarks on 4FM and KFM. I realise they have caused deep hurt and offence in all communities and in all sectors of society.
"I realise now that my remarks were open to an interpretation that I did not intend. I abhor racism in all its forms."
“I have been proud to be Mayor of Naas and to represent all the people of the town. However, as a result of the upset that I have caused, I feel it is appropriate that I step down from this position.”
On Tuesday, the Fine Gael Mayor was been branded a "racist" by a Labour Party spokesperson.
Speaking to Clem Ryan on KFM's 'Kildare Today', Mr Scully, said he made his decision based on the ''aggressive attitude'' and "bad manners" he had experienced when being dealing with ''black Africans''.
A complaint was been made to gardaí over the comments while Labour TD for Waterford, Ciara Conway said she was absolutely appalled by the Mayor's comments.
"As a mother of a new generation of Irish people, I am absolutely disgusted and sickened by these appallingly ignorant and disgustingly racist comments," said TD Conway.
"How dare a public representative exercise such selectivity? How exactly is he defining people of African origin? I have a daughter of mixed parentage, and she's among a new generation of non-Caucasian Irish citizens. Would Mayor Scully handle her queries?
"I am sickened that in this day and age we have to tackle such small-minded ignorance from bigots like this. Of course, he has qualified his statement by playing the 'I'm not a racist but ...' card."
(DW)
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