'Extraordinarily regrettable...

Controversy follows posting of famine-era eviction image

- LOUISE BURNE Political Correspondent and JOHN HAND Chief Reporter

SIMON Harris has said it is “extraordinarily regrettable” that Sinn Fein’s Eoin O Broin“attempted to drag” members of the gardai into “political debate”. 

He questioned what Mr O Broin “would do in Government” after finding himself embroiled in two controversies in recent months.

Sinn Fein’s housing spokesperson was widely criticised in recent days after he posted a picture of an image by artist Mala Spiosari that is based on a famine-era eviction.

The photoshopped image shows both masked and uniformed gardai.

He posted the photo with the caption, “no words needed”.

Mr O Broin contacted the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspector (AGSI’s) General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham yesterday to clarify his remarks.

He said: “I stressed it was not my intention to offend, criticise or drag An Garda Siochana into a political controversy. My intention was solely to highlight the issue of homelessness/evictions and criticise Govt policy.”