31-year-old independent candidate Mark Fitzsimons (who happens to be blind) was dragged by the arms and chest out of the RTE building by three hefty RTE security men.
The navan man, who incidentally spoke brilliantly, complained along with Senator Ronan Mullen that RTE had a bias towards the main political parties. They said that having all the main parties in the first half of the debate and having the independents in the second meant that the political elite were unchallenged and got more than likely the most viewership.
Ironically, it was Mullen and Fitzsimons’ voices that were heard the loudest in the media.
Mark said he was unharmed in the fracas but himself and his carer who sat down on the ground in a peaceful protest with him were both manhandled out of the RTE building. Many voices are claiming RTE acted ina disgraceful manner last night, both on air and off it.