The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘I’M NOT SORRY’
Stage invader says Rose stunt is just the beginning
FATHERS for Justice founder Matt O’Connor – who sensationally stormed the Rose of Tralee stage during Monday night’s live broadcast – says his actions were justified and he won’t apologise.
Mr O’Connor – whose family hail from Sneem – said his stage invasion is the start of an Irish campaign by the UK-based protest group.
“I’ve grown up watching the Rose of Tralee. It’s one of the biggest and most popular shows in Ireland and I knew it would be the ideal stage on which to launch our campaign. People in Ireland can expect to be seeing a lot more of us,” he said.
Mr O’Connor says the issue of fathers’ rights and family break ups transcends what he called “a mere beauty pageant”.
He added that he had donned a priest costume as he felt this was the best disguise to get past security at an event like the Rose of Tralee.
Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly said she was extremely shocked by the incident. “I was very, very close to bursting out crying, I’m not going to lie.”
FATHERS for Justice founder Matt O’Connor – who sensationally stormed the Rose of Tralee stage during Monday night’s live broadcast – insists his actions were justified.
Mr O’Connor – whose campaign group are known for colourful protests in the UK – says the issue of fathers’ rights and family break ups transcends what he called “a mere beauty pageant.”
“It was a peaceful protest and it was a classic example of the agitprop we’re known for,” he told The Kerryman.
Fathers4Justice are well known for their protests in the UK but until now they haven’t had any significant presence in Ireland.
Mr O’Connor – whose family hail from Sneem – said that is set to change and the Rose of Tralee was a platform for the launch of a national campaign.
“I’ve grown up watching the Rose of Tralee. It’s one of the biggest and most popular shows in Ireland and I knew it would be the ideal stage on which to launch our campaign. People in Ireland can expect to be seeing a lot more of us,” he said.
He also addressed the priest’s garb he wore during his stage invasion, an outfit many thought may have been inspired by TV comedy Father Ted’s association with the pageant.
O’Connor said the reasoning behind the outfit was far more practical.
“I just thought a priest’s outfit would be the best disguise to get past security at an event like the Rose of Tralee. It worked; I made it 100 yards up to the stage and nobody tried to stop me,” he said.
Mr O’Connor would not apologise to Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly for interrupting her appearance but he wished her the best of luck in the competition.
For her part Lisa Reilly said she was close to tears when the incident occurred.
“I was very, very close to bursting out crying, I’m not going to lie, and Dáithí gave me a bit of a squeeze. Then everyone started to stand up for an ovation, especially the escorts and the Roses,” she said.
“That gave me a push and I said ‘Lisa you need to do this, people are watching’. It was the first time in eight years a Cavan Rose was in the Rose of Tralee so I wasn’t going to let people down.”
The Rose of Tralee said it will put improved security arrangements in place near the stage to avoid any future incident of a similar nature.