Gay Marriage: Garda Association statement is shockingly inappropriate, says McGrath – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Gay Marriage: Garda Association statement is shockingly inappropriate, says McGrath




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Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said that a Garda Representative Association statement which has called for a “Yes” vote in the same sex marriage referendum is almost unparalleled in its politicization of the Gardai.  Deputy McGrath made his comments as the Association General secretary P.J. Stone said that those who vote no are motivated by prejudice and an unwillingness to further the aims of the 1916 Proclamation:“

The language chosen by the Garda Association is almost visceral in its contempt for those members of our society who will be voting and advocating a no vote. It has opened up an enormous difficulty in terms of diminishing the public’s vital need to see the Gardai as an apolitical and neutral body.

This statement is nothing less than a direct intervention that borders on a constitutional crisis.It characterizes the No Campaign as essentially being the agents of discrimination, which in itself is incredibly offensive and misleading.

The Minister for Justice must make a statement to assure the public who will be voting no that they can rely on the Gardai to protect their rights regardless of their view on this matter.This statement really has set a profoundly disturbing precedent, the implications of which cannot be underestimated.

Imagine if the Garda Association came out and described the Yes campaign as bigoted, discriminatory and unpatriotic; the accusations of political policing would be shouted from the rooftops,” concluded Deputy McGrath.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the group Mothers and Fathers Matter, which is campaigning for a No vote, also expressed serious concern at the news.  Keith Mills said that it’s “a very worrying development and we’re reviewing what our next step will be.”

We will publish further updates on this crisis as we receive them.

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