Sherlock: We have crossed the rubicon
WHILE the tallies were still working their magic on Saturday, the universal smile from the Yes campaign at count centre at Colaiste Cholm in Ballincollig was plain to see from early mid-morning.
In reality, the omens were good from the get-go, with the Yes voters stomping ahead even in the most traditional region of Cork North West and that was even before the ballot boxes from the urban region of Ballincollig were opened.
At the count centre, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Sherlock said he was delighted to see the very prominent Yes vote for “our friends and neighbours who are gay.”
As the day ticked onwards, the Yes side had etched ahead with the end result of 57.87% screaming Yes compared to 42.13% who had shouted No.
Minister Sherlock said that people are now equal citizens who can enjoy their rights and entitlements which they so richly deserve.
“We have crossed the rubicon in this country and have proven ourselves to be fair and equitable people,” he told The Corkman.
He said he was particularly pleased that Cork East has given an emphatic yes, but equally so Cork North West. “People really rowed in behind the Yes campaign,” he said.
“There has been a huge enthusiasm among the diaspora who left this country and who were afraid to be themselves. In recent days, I met a man from Mallow who emigrated to Chicago and he returned home with his partner to vote. He wanted his voice heard and this Referendum speaks volumes about people who wanted to have their voices heard. Today, their voice has been heard loud and clear,” he said.