Editor of `Sunday Independent' apologises for offence to disabled

An apology from the editor of the Sunday Independent for the "distress and offence" caused by one of the newspaper's columnists has been welcomed by the Minister for Tourism and Sports, Dr McDaid.

In a statement last night, Mr Aengus Fanning, said the article by Mary Ellen Synon about the participation of disabled people in competitive sports was not intended to be "hurtful to disabled persons".

Contacted last night at her home in north Co Cork, Miss Synon said she had been consulted about the statement and was happy for it to be issued.

"I really have nothing to add to it," she said. "I will be saving anything I have to say for the pages of the Sunday Independent."

The editor's apology stated: "In the Sunday Independent of October 22, 2000, an article by Mary Ellen Synon in her "ME Synon" column caused great distress and offence to many people, particularly to the disabled and also to the athletes participating in the Paralympics.

"I wish to apologise sincerely to them, to our readers and to the many people who believe that the article was in poor taste and inappropriate.

"It has been said over the past few days that the terminology used was hurtful to disabled persons and that the argument of the columnist was made in a manner which was demeaning of them.

"This was not my intention nor was it the intention of Miss Synon.

"It is neither the policy nor the intention of the Sunday Independent to gratuitously offend public sensibilities. However, I fully accept that great offence was caused and I am happy to apologise for this." It was signed, "Aengus Fanning, Editor, Sunday Independent".

In her column last Sunday, Ms Synon called the participation of disabled people in sports "grotesque".

Referring to the Paralympics, currently taking place in Sydney, Australia, she said: "One must question the propaganda that says one ought to applaud the physical performance of the lame as we applaud the physical performance of the fit.

"It is part of the propaganda that wants to convince you that all cultures are equal in value, that all lives are equal in value and that all philosophies are equal in value."

Dr McDaid said he was "glad the Sunday Independent" has "admitted that the article was offensive. An apology was indeed merited," he said.

Mr John Treacy, chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, said the issuing of the apology "was the right thing to do".

"I know a lot of the athletes out in Sydney were very upset by the article and I am glad Mr Fanning has decided to make this apology."