Geldof says it’s time for Sinn Fein to ‘grow up’
BOB Geldof has urged Sinn Fein to ‘grow up’ after claiming members made insulting comments about his decision to return the Freedom of the City of Dublin.
The singer and campaigner publicly handed the honour back last month in protest at the behaviour of Burma’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who also held the award.
Since her freedom from incarceration and election as de facto leader two years ago, she has faced international criticism over lack of action to prevent alleged ethnic cleansing of her country’s Rohingya Muslims by security forces.
Dublin City Council this month voted to strip her of her freedom of the city which it decided to grant in 2000, but has declined to return Geldof’s, despite him making clear he would now be happy to see it returned.
He said: “Sinn Fein have a bee in their bonnets about me, the insults, the personal insults, are water off a duck’s back but lads, let’s get a grip, grow up.”
The human rights and antihunger activist said he had been honoured by many cities including London and further afield. “They (Dublin City Council) did as I asked so it is over. I would like it back but if not, so be it,” added Geldof.
He said the decision to remove the award from Ms Suu Kyi had restored the honour of all the citizens of the Irish capital. Sinn Fein has said Geldof returned his recognition by the people of Dublin but was keeping his British honours. Lord Mayor of Dublin cllr Micheal Mac Donncha claimed it was ‘ironic’ that the singer was keeping his knighthood despite the UK’s ‘shameful record’ of imperialism.