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Town Councillor has something against Travellers who wear Prada
A town councillor who once shook the hand of Muhammad Ali looks like he could soon be trying to shake off a series of outraged Traveller groups who disagree with his latest statement.
The Evening Herald reports that councillor Frankie Neylon from Clare has ruffled some feathers by hitting out at “Prada-wearing Travellers.” Uh-oh…you can just tell where this is going…
Speaking at a public town council meeting, Mr Neylon insisted that members of the Travelling community who are convicted of taking part in feuds should have their social welfare benefits withdrawn completely.
Mr Neylon, who is now the deputy mayor of Ennis in county Clare, said that Travellers should be hit in the pocket because of the way they drive around in new cars and “salute you with their Prada coats on them.”
Needless to say it wasn’t long before the backlash began...
Traveller group Pavee Point described Mr Neylon’s comments as “totally unhelpful” and “dangerous.” They also said that the comments only encouraged people to exclude members of the Travelling community.
“I don’t know of any Traveller who wears Prada but the insinuation there is that the wealth talked about was got illegally. If that is their belief, evidence should be provided to the gardaí,” said Martin Collins of Pavee Point.
However councillor Neylon has admitted that he holds some strong opinions about members of the Travelling community.
“We can see it all on our TV screens every day, the wealth that they have. They are not ashamed about it. It’s not something that they’re hiding,” he said, speaking to the Evening Herald.
Someone should probably tell him that in most cases, the Prada is simply a knock off. Hasn’t he ever heard of fake designer labels?
I think the crime happened before the councillor made his comment about taking dole from travellers who wear Prada. My point is: his comments contribute to a climate of hatred that makes such events more likely.
The flaunting of wealth is not a crime for anyone in any community. The illegal acquisition of wealth is. Whether it's a banker or a traveller who illegally acquires wealth, the gardai must press charges, and the criminal must be punished. With regard to Astaban's comment, I see no reason why Pavee Point should stay silent, regardless of what some travellers in some parts of the country may be doing. Their point is either valid or it is not. If an Irishman does something I disapprove of, should I stop defending the rights of Irish people?
The councillor knows full well that a law that specifically sought to deprive travellers of dole if they wore Pravda could never be passed as it would be both discriminatory and stupid.
I think the crime happened before the councillor made his comment about taking dole from travellers who wear Prada. My point is: his comments contribute to a climate of hatred that makes such events more likely.
The flaunting of wealth is not a crime for anyone in any community. The illegal acquisition of wealth is. Whether it's a banker or a traveller who illegally acquires wealth, the gardai must press charges, and the criminal must be punished. With regard to Astaban's comment, I see no reason why Pavee Point should stay silent, regardless of what some travellers in some parts of the country may be doing. Their point is either valid or it is not. If an Irishman does something I disapprove of, should I stop defending the rights of Irish people?
The councillor knows full well that a law that specifically sought to deprive travellers of dole if they wore Pravda could never be passed as it would be both discriminatory and stupid.
I think the crime happened before the councillor made his comment about taking dole from travellers who wear Prada. My point is: his comments contribute to a climate of hatred that makes such events more likely.
The flaunting of wealth is not a crime for anyone in any community. The illegal acquisition of wealth is. Whether it's a banker or a traveller who illegally acquires wealth, the gardai must press charges, and the criminal must be punished. With regard to Astaban's comment, I see no reason why Pavee Point should stay silent, regardless of what some travellers in some parts of the country may be doing. Their point is either valid or it is not. If an Irishman does something I disapprove of, should I stop defending the rights of Irish people?
The councillor knows full well that a law that specifically sought to deprive travellers of dole if they wore Pravda could never be passed as it would be both discriminatory and stupid.
I think the crime happened before the councillor made his comment about taking dole from travellers who wear Prada. My point is: his comments contribute to a climate of hatred that makes such events more likely.
The flaunting of wealth is not a crime for anyone in any community. The illegal acquisition of wealth is. Whether it's a banker or a traveller who illegally acquires wealth, the gardai must press charges, and the criminal must be punished. With regard to Astaban's comment, I see no reason why Pavee Point should stay silent, regardless of what some travellers in some parts of the country may be doing. Their point is either valid or it is not. If an Irishman does something I disapprove of, should I stop defending the rights of Irish people?
The councillor knows full well that a law that specifically sought to deprive travellers of dole if they wore Pravda could never be passed as it would be both discriminatory and stupid.
I think the crime happened before the councillor made his comment about taking dole from travellers who wear Prada. My point is: his comments contribute to a climate of hatred that makes such events more likely.
The flaunting of wealth is not a crime for anyone in any community. The illegal acquisition of wealth is. Whether it's a banker or a traveller who illegally acquires wealth, the gardai must press charges, and the criminal must be punished. With regard to Astaban's comment, I see no reason why Pavee Point should stay silent, regardless of what some travellers in some parts of the country may be doing. Their point is either valid or it is not. If an Irishman does something I disapprove of, should I stop defending the rights of Irish people?
The councillor knows full well that a law that specifically sought to deprive travellers of dole if they wore Pravda could never be passed as it would be both discriminatory and stupid.
I think the crime happened before the councillor made his comment about taking dole from travellers who wear Prada. My point is: his comments contribute to a climate of hatred that makes such events more likely.
The flaunting of wealth is not a crime for anyone in any community. The illegal acquisition of wealth is. Whether it's a banker or a traveller who illegally acquires wealth, the gardai must press charges, and the criminal must be punished. With regard to Astaban's comment, I see no reason why Pavee Point should stay silent, regardless of what some travellers in some parts of the country may be doing. Their point is either valid or it is not. If an Irishman does something I disapprove of, should I stop defending the rights of Irish people?
The councillor knows full well that a law that specifically sought to deprive travellers of dole if they wore Pravda could never be passed as it would be both discriminatory and stupid.
I think the crime happened before the councillor made his comment about taking dole from travellers who wear Prada. My point is: his comments contribute to a climate of hatred that makes such events more likely.
The flaunting of wealth is not a crime for anyone in any community. The illegal acquisition of wealth is. Whether it's a banker or a traveller who illegally acquires wealth, the gardai must press charges, and the criminal must be punished. With regard to Astaban's comment, I see no reason why Pavee Point should stay silent, regardless of what some travellers in some parts of the country may be doing. Their point is either valid or it is not. If an Irishman does something I disapprove of, should I stop defending the rights of Irish people?
The councillor knows full well that a law that specifically sought to deprive travellers of dole if they wore Pravda could never be passed as it would be both discriminatory and stupid.