Fine Gael probe into abusive tweets is ‘not a high priority’
Party official resigned in November
AN investigation into abusive and misogynistic tweets sent by a former member of Fine Gael’s executive council is ‘not a high priority’, a party source has said.
This comes four months after the incidents involving Barry Walsh first came to light and just as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar promised ‘swift action’ to look into a separate, unrelated allegation of bullying and misogyny made by Senator Catherine Noone.
Mr Walsh stepped down from his role on the party’s executive council in November after a number of female party members highlighted the derogatory and sexist language he frequently directed towards highprofile women on social media.
At the time, Mr Varadkar branded Mr Walsh’s behaviour ‘unacceptable’ and said he would face a disciplinary investigation which would determine whether or not he should be expelled from the party.
But four months on, Fine Gael is unable to provide any update on the status of the investigation. The Irish Daily Mail has twice queried the probe over the last two months, but was not provided with any new information on either occasion. When the Mail queried the length of time the investigation has been taking, a party source responded that it is ‘not a high priority’.
Yesterday a spokesman for the party said the investigation is ongoing but was unaware of its level of priority, which they said is a matter for those dealing with the case internally.
Mr Walsh’s behaviour was brought to the party’s attention by Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell at a meeting of the parliamentary party last year, during which she passed around printouts of the abusive tweets he had sent.
These included referring to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall as ‘b**ches’, and another incident in which he labelled Sabina Higgins – the wife of President Michael D Higgins – a ‘vile woman.’
Mr Walsh also directed tweets at supporters of the Repeal the Eighth campaign, and made particularly crude references about comedian and campaigner Tara Flynn, who has shared her own experience of termination.
Ms O’Connell said she did not wish to comment on the investigation when contacted by the Irish Daily Mail yesterday.
Mr Walsh has said he will not comment on the matter until the investigation is complete.
When standing down last November, Mr Walsh blamed the decision on a ‘trial by media’ and referred to his actions as ‘political jousting’ taken too far.
He also said he deeply regretted the ‘tone and language’ used and apologised for any offence caused.
‘I look forward to this matter being considered by the Fine Gael executive council at its earliest convenience, and I am resigning without prejudice to any disciplinary investigation which may be undertaken by the party in relation to this matter,’ he added.
Speaking at the time, Government minister Regina Doherty said Mr Walsh displayed ‘bile in every single tweet’ and that his abusive behaviour had been ‘going on for years’.
‘This young man has serious issues,’ she told Today with Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ radio. ‘He is one of the angriest young men I have come across. It isn’t new. It has been going on for some considerable time.’
The news comes just as the party faces into a fresh sexism row, after Ms Noone last week complained of bullying and misogynistic behaviour towards her by a male party colleague which took place over a period of several years. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar promised ‘swift action’ said he would not ‘stand over any bullying or sexism towards colleagues’.
A formal complaint has been made to party chairman Martin Heydon, who has written to the general secretary Tom Curran regarding the matter. ‘Due process will be followed and the matter will be dealt with swiftly. Fine Gael expects party colleagues to treat all with the utmost respect, professionalism and dignity at all times,’ the party said in a statement last week.
‘Any internal party matters are dealt with the strictest of confidence and Fine Gael will not be making any further comment.’
He blamed ‘trial by media’ ‘This man has serious issues’