Sir, – As a young party activist (I have only just turned 19), I was shocked and angered by the comments made by Mayor of Naas Darren Scully on Kildare FM on Tuesday. Not just as a citizen, as a liberal and as a Fine Gael party activist, but also as someone who has done extensive work in my local community to better the quality of life of many of the New Irish. Some in the social media over the past 24 hours have used this incident as a stick with which to beat all party members, one and all, young and old.
However, not one party member I had met on Tuesday in the wake of the comments saw any option facing Mr Scully but swift, immediate resignation as well as party expulsion. And many also applauded the actions of our colleague in Government, Aodhán Ó’Ríordáin. However, many of those with opposition views in the online world have described Mr Scully’s comments as “typical Fine Gael” with many saying that they would not “deal with white Fine Gaelers anymore” etc. Not only were these reactionary comments groundless, but I found them very hurtful as a Fine Gael member. The insinuation that anyone who has walked under the same party banner as Darren Scully shares his views is an insult. But myself and Fine Gael will not forget that the greatest insult of all has come from Mr Scully.
At a time where the elites and classes are so painfully highlighted, at a time where the culture of insiders and outsiders is so polarised in our society, here comes Darren Scully under the Fine Gael banner to say: I serve these people, but those people can go my colleagues.
It’s an insult to Declan Costello and the Just Society. It’s an insult to the Sons of Garret. And it’s an insult to Fine Gael. – Yours, etc,