Is this appropriate behaviour from a TD?

Banjo String

Firstly, this is not a political thread, I dont want to discuss the TD's political party, or their politics.

However, am I alone in thinking this behaviour by TD Frank Feighan is completely inappropriate?

He elbows, then almost makes a go for an elderly man (probably a pensioner).

I don't think an elected government minister who acts in this aggressive manner towards a member of the public should be in office, and quite frankly should be ashamed of himself.



Watch the video and judge for yourself.

https://amp.twimg.com/v/4ae2fbc4-9e39-41b2-8389-e5361917dd17

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Anyone that who manhandles an old person should be ashamed of themselves.

Banjo String

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Anyone that who manhandles an old person should be ashamed of themselves.

He looked quite pleased with himself afterwards tbh.

caolfx

He tried to hustle Feighan out of the way. Feighan pushed back, somewhat excessively, sure, but he nor anyone is in any position to be outraged. You can't expect to push TD's around without retribution.

What did he expect to happen? If' he's that old an frail he shouldn't put himself in those situations in the first place.

Cienciano

Wouldn't expect anything less from a TD. Lick the arse of his boss, no one else matters.

Banjo String

SuperOito wrote: »

He tried to hustle Feighan out of the way. Feighan pushed back, somewhat excessively, sure, but he nor anyone is in any position to be outraged. You can't expect to push TD's around without retribution.

What did he expect to happen? If' he's that old an frail he shouldn't put himself in those situations in the first place.

We have been watching different videos it seems.

Watch it again from very start to very end of it.

Gives much more insight both before and afterwards. 

Before, you can see him (the assaulted) standing at the kerb (as he would be entitled to do,) even before the TD comes along. 

TD then walks over to be in front of him, at this point man in blue shoves him, right into Feighan, he then reaches out, places a hand on Feighans shoulder (he's clutching a leaflet or something) and Feighan puts the elbow into his ribs, at least twice and makes an aggressive pass at him also. 

I would also love to know who the big brave lad was that snatched him from behind, even though Enda Kenny was inside the building, and was well out of' harms way'.

If this was Coveney / Doherty / Martin / Flanagan /Wallace I'd be saying the same thing. 

It's funny how some people only see what they want to see. Move along, nothing to see here. 

Feighan himself would even disagree with you.

In a statement, Mr Feighan apologised to Mr McDermott and admitted he overreacted.

The Fine Gael TD said: “Fine Gael members, families and their children had come to Roscommon Town to meet Taoiseach Enda Kenny. 

“Assessing the situation when he arrived, I formed the opinion that the Taoiseach was going to be confronted in an aggressive and physical manner.

“In hindsight, I misread the situation and overreacted in a tense situation.

“As a Fine Gael TD and a member of the Government, the public expects the highest standards.

“I regret if any actions of mine caused hurt to anybody especially the Hospital Action Committee candidate and former Roscommon senior county goalkeeper, John McDermott.”

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/politics/td-frank-feighan-face-garda-4334470

An apology will undoubtedly make the assaulted' ribs feel better.

He needs to be sacked now. Like something we would expect from communist Russia tbh.

If the shoe was on the other foot, and it was the man elbowing the TD, no doubt that his head would called for by a baying mob.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

SuperOito wrote: »

He tried to hustle Feighan out of the way. Feighan pushed back, somewhat excessively, sure, but he nor anyone is in any position to be outraged. You can't expect to push TD's around without retribution.

What did he expect to happen? If' he's that old an frail he shouldn't put himself in those situations in the first place.

The guys a scumbag, there was no need for it.

4zn76tysfajdxp

Personally, I think we should return to the days when members of parliament could hand out a few digs to the proletariat with impunity.

caolfx

Banjo String wrote: »

We have been watching different videos it seems.

What I saw was a hand clutching a leaflet being placed on his shoulder.

Watch when the door of the car opens, the 'pensioner' starts pushing.

LexieOnRale wrote: »

The guys a scumbag, there was no need for it.

Unfortunately some old people think they can do what they want and when their actions turn against them they expect to be treated differently because their old.

I think he should take some responsibility. I agree it seemed somewhat excessive, but he's trying to get distance so he can open the door and let his boss out.

Not making excuses. Just the way I see it.

keano_afc

"TD" and "ashamed of themselves" are two things you never see in a sentence. Our elected officials are morally corrupt and completely above reproach.

Wallace, Flanagan, Lowry, Cooper-Flynn, the list goes on. All reprehensible people but completely shameless.

Duggy747

Excessive all right, he looked like what a kid would when its annoyed though I was expecting a frail, old, almost-dead pensioner by the way people have been referring to the guy who was elbowed.

That article is cringe with it's emotive writing, too.

kneemos

Hail the leader.

matrim

The guy being pushed / elbowed is John McDermott an independent TD also running in the election

tayto lover

Pushing and elbowing people goes hand in hand with arrogant politics.
Fine Gael have it in spades.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

SuperOito wrote: »

Watch when the door of the car opens, the 'pensioner' starts pushing.



Unfortunately some old people think they can do what they want and when their actions turn against them they expect to be treated differently because their old.

I think he should take some responsibility. I agree it seemed somewhat excessive, but he's trying to get distance so he can open the door and let his boss out.

Not making excuses. Just the way I see it.

Would you think it's okay to shove a child out of the way? Older people aren't as strong as they once were. Had the guy behind not steadied the pensioner, he probably would have fallen, he could have broke a hip, or banged his head. It's not a 30something year old that could hold his own, it was a weaker older man.

diomed

If he ever loses the auld seat there's always a place for him in the Seanad.

Banjo String

SuperOito wrote: »

Watch when the door of the car opens, the 'pensioner' starts pushing.

I can't see it tbh.

Even in this 'better' video. That's most definitely not pushing Imo.

https://amp.twimg.com/v/4ae2fbc4-9e39-41b2-8389-e5361917dd17

There's only one aggressor in the clip.

It ain't the older guy.

Cienciano

SuperOito wrote: »

Not making excuses. Just the way I see it.

Pretty much every sentence you wrote is making excuses for it.

Rasheed

That 'pensioner' would be very upset at being described as elderly.

Gillo

Am I watching the same video?
One man tries pushing past another man and get shoved back, possibly with a little too much force but not excessively. He's not exactly old either.
The two of them were as bad as each other.

Cool_CM

At least he didn't pull a John Prescott

kneemos

Banjo String wrote: »

I can't see it tbh.

Even in this 'better' video. That's most definitely not pushing Imo.

https://amp.twimg.com/v/4ae2fbc4-9e39-41b2-8389-e5361917dd17

There's only one aggressor in the clip.

It ain't the older guy.

Bit of pushing on both sides.Youth wins.

Beaner1

Gillo wrote: »

Am I watching the same video?
One man tries pushing past another man and get shoved back, possibly with a little too much force but not excessively. He's not exactly old either.
The two of them were as bad as each other.

He was pushing past to accost another pensioner who also happens to be the leader of the country. He would have got a bullet for his efforts in most countries.

martinn123

It's the perogative of the Local TD, to greet the Taoiseach, exiting from his car, to ensure his/her face gets on the News.

No one gets in the way, of his/her moment of fame.

matrim

kneemos wrote: »

Bit of pushing on both sides.Youth wins.

Looks to me like the guy in the blue shirt actually starts the pushing.

Tail Docker

How do ye think anyone gets on in Politics, you need sharp elbows, metaphorically and physically. It's a business for pushy fcukers.

I remember being at the ploughing when Ahearn was taoiseach and he was "walking" through the crowd with a big red head on him and all winning smiles. Ten feet ahead of him was a phalanx of big Gards, physically shoving the crowds aside so he could wander along all amicable and down to earthey. It's a career for gurriers in suits.

Banjo String

Gillo wrote: »

Am I watching the same video?
One man tries pushing past another man and get shoved back, possibly with a little too much force but not excessively. He's not exactly old either.
The two of them were as bad as each other.

Watch it again.

Man with dark glasses and blue shirt.

Watch him from as soon as he comes into view. Let me know where shoving and pushing starts.

Mint Aero

Absolute scumbag. Should be taken to court.

Right Turn Clyde

SuperOito wrote: »

He tried to hustle Feighan out of the way. Feighan pushed back, somewhat excessively, sure, but he nor anyone is in any position to be outraged. You can't expect to push TD's around without retribution.

What did he expect to happen? If' he's that old an frail he shouldn't put himself in those situations in the first place.

Lies.

Richard Hillman

The Garda need to step up security around An Taoiseach. It shouldnt be left to TD's to manage crowd control.

Paco Rodriguez

Someone came barging behind him and he pushed back without seeing who it was. It could have been someone throwing an egg or paint for all he knew.

If it was Obama the guy would have been shot. I think it's a weak effort by the opposition to stir up site.

Right Turn Clyde

Beaner1 wrote: »

He was pushing past to accost another pensioner who also happens to be the leader of the country. He would have got a bullet for his efforts in most countries.

:rolleyes:

Banjo String

Paco Rodriguez wrote: »

Someone came barging behind him and he pushed back without seeing who it was. It could have been someone throwing an egg or paint for all he knew.

If it was Obama the guy would have been shot. I think it's a weak effort by the opposition to stir up site .

The clip is from RTE :eek:

smellmepower

That video is embarrassing, the FG TD's actions are disgusting, but the general atmosphere and the behavior of the morons seen in the video are just the worst epitome of small town Ireland. That starstruck auld codger in the white coat swinging her camera around like the second coming of Christ has arrived. Fúcking hell.

Cantremember

Bull****. The guy tried to shove forward and got shoved back. Too much PC shyte about not being able to deal with people in the manner they attempt to deal with you. Your position is irrelevant: you don't become a target for every one with attitude just because of it. This old guy got what he needed. He should **** right off.

KERSPLAT!

The lad with the leaflet, IMO, clearly tries to push his way through to the car. The resulting response from the TD was a bit over the top but nothing major and not something someone should resign over

kneemos

smellmepower wrote: »

That starstruck auld codger in the white coat swinging her camera around like the second coming of Christ has arrived. Fúcking hell.

Say she creamed herself.

osarusan

Nothing to get too worked up over, apart from the horrendous website design.

amdublin

Gillo wrote: »

Am I watching the same video?
One man tries pushing past another man and get shoved back, possibly with a little too much force but not excessively. He's not exactly old either.
The two of them were as bad as each other.

This was my take as well.

You don't push in and try to get to someone before they are even out of the car.

4zn76tysfajdxp

I'd say if some innocent old codger started pawing at me like that I'd behave the same way. Or, at the very least, consider it.

smellmepower

Richard Hillman wrote: »

The Garda need to step up security around An Taoiseach. It shouldnt be left to TD's to manage crowd control.

Yes, bollocks to murders and organized crime, that long streak o piss Enda Kenny needs more Gardai around him!

DLMA23

Only one way to resolve this...

KERSPLAT!

Jaysus the sensationalist thread title is a bit over the top too, "pensioner attacked" Christ.

ceegee

"Man in his 50s pushes another man of roughly similiar age" probably wouldnt have garnered as many clicks.

The standard of journalism on that site is awful. The fact they were unable to figure out who the man involved was (despite the placards etc in the background) just shows they were more interested in getting their agenda across than actually reporting news.

El Weirdo

matrim wrote: »

Looks to me like the guy in the blue shirt actually starts the pushing.

Which one? The video was full of fucking Blueshirts.

Rasheed

The vitriol some people have for Enda Kenny is as fresh today as it was when they closed the hospital A&E in Roscommon. John McDermott (the pensioner) is going for election for the hospital action committee. That's basically his one policy- looking to get the hospital A&E reopened, which is a dead duck.

Feighan got a lot of hate from the hospital crowd too, this wasn't his first tango with John McDermott and won't be his last. Enda being in Roscommon wouldn't have helped his candidate further her chances. I'm afraid the Fianna Fáil candidate looks like he'll walk it.

Shakespeare's Sister

60-odd is elderly and frail when it suits, "the new 50" when it suits in other contexts.

Banjo String

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Jaysus the sensationalist thread title is a bit over the top too, "pensioner attacked" Christ.

Edited.

Tbf, he looks in his 60s to me. Hence = pensioner.

SEPT 23 1989

just another knacker but dressed in an expensive suit

KERSPLAT!

Banjo String wrote: »

Edited.

Tbf, he looks in his 60s to me. Hence = pensioner.

It wasn't the pensioner that got me it was the "attacked"!!!

mikom

Elbow child Frank Feighan voted to downgrade Roscommon Hospital having got elected two months after promising this:

“Fine Gael is determined that its plan to retain and enhance services at hospitals like Roscommon will finally put a halt to this much-touted reconfiguration plan of hospitals in the West which essentially amounts to downgrading by stealth.”


Wearing a tie, so, forever classy.
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