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The leader of Sinn F\u00e9in has apologized for marching behind an \u201cEngland Get Out of Ireland\u201d banner on St Patrick\u2019s Day.<\/p>\nThe leader of Sinn F\u00e9in has apologized for marching behind an \u201cEngland Get Out of Ireland\u201d banner on St Patrick\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
Mary Lou McDonald moved to reassure the public that its message was not directed at English people.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor anybody who felt that it was directed at English people, I just want to reassure them that that\u2019s not the case,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Dublin Central TD was condemned for helping carry the sign last month in New York City\u2019s annual parade to mark the Irish national holiday.<\/p>\n
Her actions were described as offensive and divisive by Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.<\/p>\n
An opinion poll published by the Sunday Business Post over the weekend showed support for Sinn F\u00e9in had dropped by five points to 13%. The figure was 18% in February.<\/p>\n
On Monday Ms McDonald said: \u201cIn respect of St Patrick\u2019s Day, I think it starts certainly a conversation around that banner which has been up and down Fifth Avenue for a generation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very direct political statement, it\u2019s an anti-partition statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it was taken by some to be directed at English people. It certainly was not and is not.\u201d<\/p>\n
She described the slogan as a \u201cfairly blunt statement at any time\u201d.<\/p>\n
For anybody who felt that it was directed at English people I just want to reassure them that that’s not the case<\/p>\n
Speaking on RTE Radio 1 she said: \u201cI suppose all of us have to be conscious of not just what we say and what is meant, but also what is heard and what is understood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether she was inching towards an apology, she replied: \u201cI don\u2019t have to inch towards anything\u2026 for anybody who felt that it was directed at English people I just want to reassure them that that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed I have blood relatives myself who are English \u2026 and English people are very welcome in Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of them live amongst us, they are our neighbors and our friends, so certainly I apologize to anybody who felt that the banner was intended in that way, and I\u2019m happy to clarify that it\u2019s not. It certainly doesn\u2019t mean that.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the political sentiment behind the banner, Ms McDonald said she would not apologize for being \u201ca united Irelander\u201d and for wanting unity and democracy across Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cFar from apologizing for it, I wear that political position as a badge of honor,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Unionist Party said Ms McDonald\u2019s apology was motivated by poll ratings rather than remorse.<\/p>\n
East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons said: \u201cMary Lou McDonald\u2019s apology is a cynical response to falling poll ratings rather than any acknowledgement of remorse.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is testament to Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s place on the sidelines of politics that gaffes by their new president have been their most significant contribution to politics in recent months.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is clear however that a drop in support has pressed those who take the decisions within Sinn F\u00e9in to stop defending the banner and belatedly send Mary Lou McDonald out to issue this supposed apology.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Lyons said if the party\u2019s leadership was truly focused on repairing the damage it would commit to working with all other parties to restore the Stormont Assembly.<\/p>\n