THE MAYOR of Midleton has defended the east Cork town in the wake of a Facebook page linking it to anti-Semitic sentiment.
The page, titled “the Invasion of Jews in Midleton”, was created after the arrival of a number of Orthodox Satmar Jews in the town for a two-week holiday.
The existence of the page and comments posted on it were noted in the Jerusalem Post, among other Jewish newspapers worldwide, before the page was removed from the online social networking site.
The page attracted more than 380 “Likes” from members of the social networking site before it was taken down amid accusations of anti-Semitism from Jewish community representatives.
Mayor of Midleton Niall O’Neill said the comments posted on the page were in no way representative of the local people.
“Facebook is a forum for discussion for individuals to post individual opinions; it is no more and no less than that. The people of Midleton would certainly not be considered a community that would not extend a warm welcome to people of all shades, colours and creeds,” he said.
Mr O’Neill said at no point during his lifetime had any visitors to the town been treated with anything other than courteous hospitality. He added: “There’s been no case in point where there have been issues with any people, from any background, coming to the town.”