Hello you.
This afternoon.
Merrion Square, Dublin 2
Verona Murphy, a former Fine Gael by-election candidate and now Wexford Independent hopeful for General Election 2020 talking to farmers during a tractor protest against beef prices among other issues.
Simon Harris has this to say about Verona Murphy’s latest comments pic.twitter.com/dsqq8Uz497
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) December 19, 2019
“Well, if Fine Gael sought to silence her, we well and truly failed – I think is the first thing to say.
“And I think the second thing to say is the decision to deselect her is looking better by the moment.”
Health Minister Simon Harris commenting on deselected Fine Gael Wexford candidate Verona Murphy’s most recent comments.
Earlier:
A roadside Verona Murphy Poster in Wexford during the recent by-election
This morning.
Deselected Fine Gael Wexford candidate Verona Murphy gave an interview to South East Radio’s Morning Mix.
Via Independent.ie:
She said she was silenced by the party and subject to a media ban in the final days of her recent by-election campaign.
Speaking to South East Radio on Thursday, Ms Murphy said she had raised the issue of migrants as a security issue. “I apologise for the words I use. I stand over the fact it is a security issue,” she said.
In her unsuccessful by-election campaign, Ms Murphy said asylum seekers coming to Ireland have to be “deprogrammed” as they “carry angst” and may have been “infiltrated” by Isil. She also claimed that children as young as three were being “manipulated” by Isil.
Ms Murphy said that in her role as president of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) she was at the “coalface” of the issue of migrants trying to get into the country.
She said she had attended security briefings from MI5 and Interpol on the issue of migration. “I doubt anybody in Dáil has as much experience of the migrant issue as I have,” she said.
Now watch me migrate to the far right
Listen back here
Verona Murphy to decide on future as general election independent candidate (RTÉ)
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fine Gael Wexford by-election candidate Verona Murphy
This afternoon.
Via RTÉ:
Verona Murphy has confirmed to RTÉ News that she is to be deselected as a general election candidate by Fine Gael.
Ms Murphy said she is going to take a break from politics over Christmas, and will assess her options in the New Year.
During the by-election campaign Ms Murphy apologised after claiming that some asylum seekers coming to Ireland have to be “deprogrammed” as they “carry angst” and may have been “infiltrated by ISIS”.
Murphy confirms she will be deselected as a Fine Gael candidate (RTÉ)
Previously: Verona Murphy on Broadsheet
This morning/afternoon.
Wexford By-Election Count.
Verona Murphy the Fine Gael candidate, with her party’s Director of Elections, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan after arriving in the count centre at St Joseph’s Club Community Centre, Bishopswater, Wexford. Mr Flanagan, following the third count (above), declared: “It’s all to play for.”
Meanwhile…
This morning/Afternoon.
Dublin Fingal by-election count.
Green Party candidate Joe O’Brien talks to the media (top) as Fianna Fáil Candidate Lorraine Clifford Lee she arrives at the count centre in the National Show Centre,
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre) and Fine Gael by-election candidate Verona Murphy (left) canvassing in Wexford town yesterday
Yesterday.
Main Street, Wexford.
…It was unusual when it comes to a canvas in a county town four days before a by-election, that publicity opportunities would be shunned, but it’s been an unusual campaign for Fine Gael in Wexford.
They [Varadkar and candidate Murphy) largely received a positive reception, with smiles and banter a-plenty between the public and the politicians, although one man in The Book Centre, when asked if he would like to be introduced to the visitors, confided that he would not be seen in such company…
Smiles and banter from Varadkar in Wexford but no time for the waiting press (RTÉ)
Previously: Due Diligence
Pic: RTÉ
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Verona Murphy at the opening of Ms Murphy’s by-election campaign offices in Wexford town last July
This morning.
Via Irish Independent:
Fine Gael’s leadership didn’t know its besieged candidate Verona Murphy was also at the centre of bullying allegations made by a female worker.
The party is embroiled in controversy over its by-election candidate linking migrants with terror group Isil.
Despite concerns within the party about Ms Murphy’s views, Tánaiste Simon Coveney gave a significant show of support yesterday by campaigning with her in Wexford.
Ms Murphy is the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA). Last year, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found an office manager at the IRHA was penalised for raising concerns of alleged bullying by Ms Murphy and others.
The female worker, who is in her 60s, raised a bullying and harassment complaint against the president and claimed Ms Murphy “took umbrage against her for raising such concerns”. Ms Murphy denied the allegations.
Fine Gael sources said the party knew nothing about the matter until now….
Meanwhile…
A quick google would have found this story about Verona Murphy and the IRHA in the @irishexaminer from February of this year. Also available on @broadsheet_ie. Fine Gael sources telling @Independent_ie they knew nothing about it until now. pic.twitter.com/XLzZi1k1wN
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) November 21, 2019
Fine Gael ‘in dark’ on bullying case against besieged candidate Verona Murphy (irish Independent)
Earlier: Dan Boyle: An Epitaph To Epithets
Top Pic: Wexford Today
Not around the eyes.
This afternoon.
New Ross, County Wexford.
A billboard belonging to Fine Gael by-election candidate Verona Murphy ahead of the Wexford by-election on November 29.
Ms Murphy has caused controversy by suggesting asylum seeker children as young as three need to be “deprogrammed” as they may have been manipulated by ISIS.
Meanwhile…
A bream ticket.
Suit yourselves.
Earlier: The Wait Debate
From top: Katie Hannon;; Fine Gael’s Verona Murphy
Last night.
On RTÉ Radio One’s Late Debate with Katie Hannon.
The programme was scheduled to hold a debate with all the Wexford by-election candidates – Fine Gael’s Verona Murphy, Fianna Fáil’s Malcolm Byrne, Green Party’s Karen Dubsky, Labour’s George Lawlor and Aontu’s Jim Codd – ahead of the by-election on November 29.
However, Ms Murphy, who is also the President of the Irish Road Hauliers association and was recently appointed a Diversity Ambassador by the EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc last month, pulled out last night.
It followed controversial comments made by Ms Murphy including the suggestion that asylum seeker children as young as three need to be “deprogrammed” as they may have been manipulated by ISIS.
Last night, Ms Hannon said:
“Verona Murphy had been confirmed as a guest on our studio panel here tonight, since last Thursday.
“As of this morning, she was still coming on this programme. Her press handler was in contact with our production team – all was in place.
“But, at two minutes to seven o’clock this evening, we received a call to say that Verona Murphy would, in fact, not be appearing.
“And, following that, we got a short statement form Verona:
[reads out statement]
‘Given the controversy of recent days and my subsequent apology, I’ve decided not to take part in tonight’s Late Debate. My focus for the coming days will be listening to and engaging with the issues that concern all living in Wexford.’
[finishes statement]
“Now we did attempt to get some clarity on what this might mean for her candidacy.
“We understand that there was a meeting at Fine Gael headquarters this evening which was attended by Verona Murphy.
“We don’t know what was discussed at that meeting but the official line from Fine Gael tonight is that she is still their candidate.
“So there you have it. It is, of course, a disappointing development. If Verona Murphy had joined us agreed, I would have liked to have asked her about those controversial quotes she gave to David Looby.
“I would have liked to have asked her whose idea it was to visit a direct provision centre in Waterford yesterday which she said later gave her a profound understanding of the issues around migration.
“I would have liked to have asked her if after that meeting, she still believes, as she told David Looby, that we need to take in the possibility that Isis have already manipulated children as young as three or four.
“I would also have liked to have asked Verona Murphy if she stands by her comments in that interview, that addiction and bad personal choices lead people to become homeless.
“And I would have liked to have asked her to expand on her view that drink-driving laws have decimated rural Ireland.
“But, unfortunately, Verona Murphy has pulled out of tonight’s debate, so we won’t be getting her response to those or any of the other issues important to the voters of Wexford tonight.”
Meanwhile…
Earlier yesterday in the Dáil, during Leaders’ Questions…
Solidarity/People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith called on Fine Gael to deselect Ms Murphy for the by-election.
Ms Smith said:
“Fine Gael’s candidate in the by-election, Verona Murphy, has doubled down on the hateful rhetoric we have heard from her in the media.
“Today in the Wexford People, she is quoted as claiming that addiction and homelessness are the result of bad choices. Not only does she blame the poor for poverty, but she also blames migrants for every other crisis that exists.
“She blames migrants for everything and stated ISIS is infiltrating this country in large numbers, without knowing that the lowest number of migrants and refugees who come to this country come from the Middle East.
“Her statements are absolutely incendiary and are not just made to get attention.
“She is playing the racist card, which has a double impact.
“It deflects from the things I have mentioned, namely, the crises in health, homelessness and mental health services for children, which will go under the radar because the Fine Gael candidate is playing the race card.
“…The Taoiseach described the candidate as an outspoken, independent woman who does not toe the party line. How high does the Taoiseach’s bar go?
“When will he address this issue and deprogramme and deselect this candidate? If he does not do so, the increased use of the race card will be on his shoulders, as the leader of this country.”
During his response, Mr Varadkar said:
“I read the article in the Wexford People and I do not think the Deputy characterised Ms Murphy’s comments on homelessness exactly as they were described.
“In fact, in the article she described her experience of being homeless. I do not know how many people in the House have had that experience, but she has.
“She described how she left home very early, became homeless, fell out with her family and slept on a couch for a period of time before emigrating to the UK.
“She went on to describe how, later in life, she did her leaving certificate, studied at night to do a law degree and built her business. That is the story she told and I do not think that came across in the way the Deputy described it.
“However, when it comes to what Ms Murphy said about migrants, as I said before, and I mean this, what she said was very wrong. Her comments were ill advised, misinformed and absolutely wrong, and do not reflect the position of my party. It is right that she has retracted those comments and apologised for them.”
Ms Smith replied: “I asked a question which the Taoiseach did not answer, namely, how high his bar is when it comes to his candidate playing the race card.
“…I again ask the Taoiseach how high his bar is when it comes to his candidates using racist language. Would he not immediately say that this is not on and that the candidate has been deselected?
“Furthermore, Ms Murphy needs to be deprogrammed, which will take longer than the two weeks which will elapse before the by-election takes place. What Ms Murphy said is utterly shameful…”
“Now she is spouting lies which will scapegoat minorities. Should that escalate, as leader of the country, it will be on the shoulders of the Taoiseach. I ask him to please answer my question. How high is his bar against racism in his party?
Mr Varadkar respond: “I thank the Deputy. I probably know a little bit more about experiencing racism than perhaps Deputy Smith does…”
Transcript via Oireachtas.ie
Listen back in full here
