The Healy Raes

Seriously? Do you also think it's ok for white people to use the 'n' word? Reclaimed words are a thing - it doesn't mean everyone gets to use the term.

Reading further in that Indo article:

Not even an "I apologise if anyone was offended" non-apology tells you all you need to know.

Varadkar outed him as a snob & owned him in fairness

When he turned his words back on him maybe. But taking offence to "Airy-Fairy" is ridiculous if that is what he was referring to.

Leo referring to a straight man as a Fairy without any room for mistake could be deemed more offensive. Well, even if the person in question didn't or wouldn't take offence to it, it would still be more offensive than airy-fairies.

From Leo's online Journal:

So is it okay that Leo used it referring to somebody, or does it not count because he said it ages ago?

"go on away with the airy-fairies and see where that gets you'" is not in any way offensive, nor is the onus on the person who said it, to explain that. The person who took offense however is just stirring crap. Apart from throwing MHR's own words back at him he had no comeback so came out with that nonsense.

One lad took another lad up the wrong way, happens all the time, no point making a big deal about it.

They might not have book smarts but those Kerry hoors are smart, and probably a lot better off than you are.

MHR may well be a bullyboy or whatever you want to call him, but I doubt very much he will be reflecting on anything. It is far more likely he will just be confused. Leo put nobody in their place in that instance. He just threw MHR words back at him. It's a tactic when you have nothing else to say. Teenagers often use it sarcastically.

MHR called out Leo's arrogance, and Leo may have well said, 'You are'.

Even the usual Twitter brigade couldn't see an issue with it.

The phrases "airy-fairy ideas" and "away with the fairies", meaning mad, are both well known phrases. Neither of those were the phrases used by MHR, though. "Fairy" as a derogatory term for a gay man is also well known. So either MHR meant to use a different phrase and mixed up his words - he has form for that, in fairness - or he was deliberately trying to goad Varadkar. A bigger man would have said "Yeah, sorry, I meant to say 'away with the tree huggers and see where that gets you'..." or whatever. Instead he's doubling down, and sure why wouldn't he. They'll love this down home.

More woke shite from the perpetually offended ! Sweet Jesus you couldn't open your mouth these days without some group being offended! I've probably offended someone by stating this !

I'll go and reflect.....

No news on the alleged Leo leak investigation still.Hmm maybe they will think it's forgotten about.

There are what? Not sure of that bit.

But yes, it is similar to that but not quite the same. But that would also have to be implied by the way it would have to be said.

It depends on the way it is said, and no matter what way you watch that video, you can see he doesn't mean it the way Leo tried to imply.

In the same way as standing in front of meatballs or fire tinder and saying look at the ****, wouldn't mean I was pointing or looking at you, but said in such a way it could be assumed. Still doesn't mean you should automatically take offence.

I wouldn't say that.He might be smiling is Leo gets in a spot of bother.

Yes, common rural idiom, what rubbish is that?

Leaky put no one in his place.

Healy Rae was 100% correct in what he said to him. Leaky is "airy fairy". For leaky to take this as a slur, shows just how out of touch with reality he really is. Healy Rae was elected immediately, Leaky was elected on the third or fourth count. HR was correct that Leaky looks down on him.

it was childish in the extreme for Leaky to use the "spin" around method of deflection completely i.e. Take what I said and say exactly the same thing back.

How the hell we ended up with Leo I do not know. He has shown himself to be untrustworthy,willing to use anyone (friends) and throw them under the bus, sieve-like with confidential information, a person dependent on PR instead of facts and slippery/slimey. Hey I suppose that is Irish politics.