Kellie Harrington. Was she hung out to dry or did she hang herself out to dry?

CGI_Livia_Soprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410707#Comment_120410707

Well she said at the time that she deleted the tweet because she didn’t “need the hate.”

When pressed about it in the interview she basically said she tuned out when your man mentioned diversity, and now a stink has been caused she says it doesn’t represent her views? Colour me completely unconvinced.

I don’t think she’s a hateful person, I certainly won’t be burning any effigies of her. But she’s definitely got a problem with immigrants.

Strazdas

As an Olympic champion, it was unwise of her to be getting involved in these type of discussions on social media or even retweeting stuff. Criticism of immigration is a controversial topic at the best of times - she would be naïve to not think she might end up being accused of being a racist or xenophobe herself (fairly or unfairly). An unknown amateur boxer might get away with this stuff, but she has a high profile in Ireland.

CGI_Livia_Soprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410732#Comment_120410732

That’s your own, incorrect, definition of history. She has posted a problematic tweet about immigrants in the past, therefore she has a history of it. You’re wrong and that’s the end of it, I’m not interested in a semantic argument.

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410749#Comment_120410749

My impression of the original tweet was it was a gut reaction to women being killed. Perfectly understandable. She then considered how it could be misunderstood and thought better of it.

squidgainz

She handled it hilariously badly , don't post **** from GB news if ya don't want to be asked about it. If I'm not mistaken she posted it on her twitter profile , the same twitter profile that posts about spar & community initiatives. Course it was fair game to question.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410749#Comment_120410749

I’d say a large proportion of inner city people of her level of education would have , it sickens me to her their views but it saddens me that they are taking their information from bad people that are furthering their agendas by infiltrating these areas .

im sure Kellie was just saddened as I was at the pictures of Lola and the sadistic death she experienced

evolvingtipperary101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410768#Comment_120410768

History is simply nothing to do with the singular.

history

noun

noun: history; plural noun: histories

1. 1.
2. the study of past events, particularly in human affairs.
3. "medieval European history"

• the past considered as a whole.
• "letters that have changed the course of history"
• Similar:
• background
• past
• family background
• life story
• antecedents
• experiences
• adventures
• fortunes

1. 2.
2. the whole series of past events connected with a particular person or thing.
3. "the history of the Empire"

• an eventful past.
• "the group has quite a history"
• a past characterized by a particular thing.
• "his family had a history of insanity"

1. 3.
2. a continuous, typically chronological, record of important or public events or of a particular trend or institution.

evolvingtipperary101

On one level, Kellie made a mistake. Twice. She deleted the tweet. She handled the interview badly. Since, she has shown regret and apologised. She's a great sportsperson and should still be held in that regard and allowed space to grow and learn. She shouldn't be ostracised and hounded. I don't believe she's a bad person. I believe she's a good person. But that's all I have. Belief. Don't know her.

Perhaps, something else might emerge. I really hope not.

OTB keep recycling the interview. Between the OTB page and their journalists they must have posted and retweeted this interview nearly 20 times in less than 24 hours. They're milking it. I get the whole media game but I really do find something unseemly about it. Shane Hannon has set a precedent now. He can never have a guest on without tackling them on their past now - and everyone, everyone, including himself, have a past.

I don't care who you are, there are skeletons in their closets too and this will come back to haunt them. Nobody is squeaky clean. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. This is not a threat from me but that's how twitter operates from what I've seen. It deals in outrage and selective evidence.

jarrybutt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410701#Comment_120410701

You can be against mass migration and still be pro immigration.

CGI_Livia_Soprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410783#Comment_120410783

You're like a dog with a bone. Let it go.

French Toast

Interviewer handled it well. Kellie and her PR advisor left red faced. No matter your area of expertise, you're accountable for what you post online.

CGI_Livia_Soprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410824#Comment_120410824

I don't know a lot of PR advisors, but that one is the worst one I have ever encountered. I have no memory of hearing any of them butt into an interview like that, at least not in Ireland. Such an amateurish move.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410878#Comment_120410878

Yeah I agree , she was as out of her depth as her client

Next week on off the ball , we discuss the a affects of brexit on the economy of NI with Longford pride and joy “Michael the Irish Mexican Gomez “

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410878#Comment_120410878

Main problem was though that Kellie was making a total hames of answering the question. She could have said something like 'I unwisely retweeted something I shouldn't have and it won't happen again' and it would have been done and dusted. Instead she kept doubling down and refusing to answer anything and made it seem like she had no regrets at all about the original tweets and retweets.

in this case Kellie was an easy target , she didn’t have the tools to defend herself , it’s snobbery to be honest

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410927#Comment_120410927

The immediate deletion of the tweet was the 'regret'.

As somebody above said, the journalist is now dining out on his click bait interview which consists of somebody being blindsided and unprepared. Big scoop there.

martingriff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410794#Comment_120410794

Why do you feel she made a mistake by deleting the tweet or is by doing the tweet. What I get and maybe I am wrong is she got something sent to her about young girls been murdered and rather then looking at it and where it came from she immediately reacted. After some time (I am not sure as had not known about this until I saw it on the Journal) she realized it was a big mistake and deleted said tweet. Now I agree she handles the interview badly. She should have known and her advisors should have known (the one behind her should be removed) it would be asked about even in a sports show like Off the Ball they like there controversy. A simple answer to a question and that should be it and if Off The Ball then attack that on them.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410946#Comment_120410946

Yep Shane is dining out thinking he's going places - unfortunately the opposite is going to happen

Newstalks legal team are very very concerned.

The producers are going wtf was he thinking bringing this up on a sports show.

And

Newstalk are pissed off because he offended a potential sponsor

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410970#Comment_120410970

are you familiar with Off the Ball? they have consistently discussed all of the politics around sport for years now. they did lots of stuff on migrants mistreatment in Qatar and often have discussions on the various ethics associated with different sports. that's their whole thing.

CGI_Livia_Soprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410940#Comment_120410940

How is it snobbery exactly?

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410220#Comment_120410220

You can't have an opinion unless it's the media approved one. Anything else is liable to get you cancelled, and is the end goal of some of these media outlets, worn like a medal on their chests.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410980#Comment_120410980

One tweet in response to a murder was irrelevant to the conversation. He should have let it go when he seen she didn't want to discuss it further - but he kept at her. He was wrong to do that

He also did not remain impartial - he tried to be woke and said he thought immigration was great.

In media you have to be impartial.

Terrier2023

What she originally tweeted was a heartfelt reaction to an terrible story of a young french girl aged 12 being abducted & murdered by migrants its a parents worst nightmare and it will happen here eventually. the witch hunt is to get her back on the agenda that migrants are great and good for the society. off the ball wanted the headlines and they got them - fcukers & they are trying to vilify her back to the agenda she was right to tell him he was hanging her out to dry HE WAS !¬

Ben D Bus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410220#Comment_120410220

People shouldn't be judged based on their opinions? That's EXACTLY how people should be judged. That and their actions.

KanyeSouthEast

Disappointed that a hero reacted in such a way. Was disappointed with the original tweet and the interview was car crash from her. The journalist had every right given the context of her being a spar ambassador to query her views.

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411010#Comment_120411010

she was basically saying all immigrants are bad. there was no more nuance to it than that. and then she kind of guffawed when he mentioned diversity which kind of backed up the fact that she's got a problem with certain people. she's an olympian ffs, you'd expect better from her.

Rows Grower

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410190#Comment_120410190

Did she actually make a tweet insinuating that immigrants are likely to be murderers? I find that hard to believe to be honest.

If she did then it was indeed a "dopey move on her part" unless of course it's a fact.

If she didn't then it is a very dopey move on your behalf to libel an Irish sporting hero on Irelands biggest internet forum.

From reading your other posts on this thread you seem very wound up about the issue, did Kellie beat you in a boxing match that you thought you should have won?

I watched the clip in the OP and the interviewer that you claim acted very professionally and couldn't have done a better job in your opinion came across to me like a jumped up little mammy's boy with a hostile attitude determined to try and make a name for himself by making his lady guest as uncomfortable as possible. Of all the things he researched about Kellie before having her on as a guest that was his best shot at an interview?

He's a grade A plonker, Kellie is a national hero.

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411001#Comment_120411001

There are loads of controversial opinions that would get a sports star into trouble if they aired them - certainly most right wing / far right talking points (Covid conspiracies, immigration, gender issues and so on) would be a no go area for a sports star who cares about their reputation.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411026#Comment_120411026

Pre interview they would have ran through what was going to be discussed. Obviously he threw this in without telling her beforehand. She wasn't prepared. He was out of order.

Will sports people be lining up to be interviewed by him anymore - no they won't.

IRE60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410970#Comment_120410970

"Newstalks legal team are very very concerned" - are they fcuk.

She wasn't defamed in any way. If she hadn't been so belligerent and tried to run the interview her way, it would have been better for her. If she had come out front and said that the tweet in October as rash and she was 'swept up in the story'. But, on mature reflection (hat tip to BL), the retweet was too hasty and that's the reason she deleted once she saw the bigger picture etc........

If she had been schooled and prepared for the interview*, it wouldn't have been the car crash it was. As for her being a Newstalk potential sponsor, that ship has sailed. As a 'brand ambassador' I think she is damaged goods for a while.

*if you court publicity, then you should be prepared for anything, not what you think you should be asked. Look at all the politicians/celebs who a broadsided very day by 'unexpected' questions.

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410661#Comment_120410661

Thanks for confirming the very mentality I was referring to.

The type that pretends to be offended by the likes of Harrington because they are bored and need recreational outrage to give their lives meaning. And when this is highlighted they just feign nonchalance with some inane comment like "lol u mad".

Harrington has always come across as a bit of a scrote but damn if she isn't worth more than middle aged men on the internet demanding that she answer for her "crimes".

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411029#Comment_120411029

“Very, very sad. A powerful message from Eva Vlaardingerbroek. Our own leaders need to take a listen to this. She believes this is the 12th girl in France this year who has been killed by an immigrant.. And that’s just France.”

When one person stated that most violence towards women is committed by people known to them and not to blame immigration, Harrington replied: "Of their own nationality. It is not right."

ok so that to me says we should be wary of immigrants because they are more likely to kill girls, many would interpret it that way, so a dopey move on her part.

Cosmo Kramer

An almost unbelievable disaster for Harrington with that interview. Imagine posting that kind of stuff on twitter when you're a brand ambassador for a diversity campaign?! And apparently it's not a one off - her twitter likes also include a number of very much not at all inclusive tweets.

If it was a straight sports interview I would have maybe had an issue with the question, but given the reason she was there with her role (surely now former role) at Spar, it would actually have been poor journalism to not ask the question.

That she made such a disaster of the response is purely down to her and her alone.

Maybe she's as thick as mince, it certainly comes across that way in that interview, but that's no excuse either. If she's not educated enough or informed enough to clarify her views she shouldn't be using her social media channels to promote political statements.

I definitely don't want to see her involved in our Olympic team again after this. She should maybe try pro boxing where there is maybe more of a market for her views of the world.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411063#Comment_120411063

Oh believe me the legal team will be very concerned. He didn't act appropriately.

I was referring to spar being a potential sponsor - newstalk commercial team won't be happy that they are annoyed. Media relies heavily on sponsorship.

JohnnyFortune

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058290092/kellie-harrington-was-she-hung-out-to-dry-or-did-she-hang-herself-out-to-dry

Why not post the tweet Kellie put up? Are you hanging her out to dry?

A little girl was brutally murdered in France by an immigrant, the twelfth within a year in France alone. Kellie merely posted a tweet asking for the governments of Europe to stop this madness from happening. Hardly that controversial? Should she have said she agrees with the murders and that it's part of being a multicultural society? Would she then take her place on the throne of woke?

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410396#Comment_120410396

To be fair, she had an opinion, posted it publicilly, got involved in a sponsorship with Spar with a specific slogan (that the presenter referenced).

Her publicilly posted opinion seemed to differ from the Spar slogan significantly, presenter looked for clarification.

While I have a lot of time for Kellie and her achievements, it was uncomfortable for me to watch her in this situation (I wasn't aware of the twitter comments) but I do think it's fair that the host of the programme look for clarification on her opinions when they seem to contradict the Spar line.

As others have said, those in the public eye need to be careful about what they post and should be expected to be questioned on it potentially.

JohnnyFortune

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410618#Comment_120410618

What view does she need to defend?

That 12yo children shouldn't be murdered by immigrants?

That the governments of Europe should be more careful who they are letting in, so that they aren't letting child murderers in?

osarusan

I'm surprised she (thanks to her PR team) didn't have a prepared answer for this - they must have known it would come up eventually.

squidgainz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411064#Comment_120411064

Hahahaha so you have defended her while saying "Harrington has always come across as a bit of a scote" hahahaha

JohnnyFortune

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410701#Comment_120410701

Could you quote the part where she denigrated immigrants?

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411169#Comment_120411169

How would they know?

Is there any other sportperson in the history of OTB that has been questioned on deleted tweets?

All the interviews are out there, I can't find one.

Why would they 'think it would come up'?

Rows Grower

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411075#Comment_120411075

Whoah, whoah there horsey!

Is this the tweet that you were referring to when you claimed that Kellie Harrington tweeted that immigrants were likely to be murderers?

Seriously?

You need to have a word with yourself.

I would suggest a public apology from you to Kellie is in order, she's entitled to her good name.

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411201#Comment_120411201

How do I have a word with myself? Talk to my reflection in the mirror? What do you want me to say?

Anyway yes I take it from that thread she meant immigrants are more likely to be murderers of young girls and I'm not the only one who thinks that.

enricoh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411001#Comment_120411001

86% polled recently said there should be a limit to the amount of refugees Ireland can take. I can't think of any celebrity that shares that view. Amazing really!

The north inner city is virtually unrecognizable demographically in the last 20 years. Time to spread this wonderful diversity Southside where those who promote it are located.

osarusan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411195#Comment_120411195

Not specific to OTB, but in general - that somebody would eventually ask her about the deleted tweets. Public figures get asked about social media activity.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410992#Comment_120410992

Because not everyone has the culture or training to deal with these situations, in the papers daily we see national party assholes all over inner city areas spreading fear and hate and misinformation (along with some actual information which muddies things for the locals) so then educated journo boy and his educated mates gave a go at an amateur athlete / hospital cleaner who literally works all day and night and is not sitting on her phone all day weighing up the different arguments

kellie saw an article about a brutally murdered child and reacted in a way she thought was human , but lacked the tools to see who she was endorsing

I personally am privileged with job and assess to info and education, in work alone I get trained in diversity, inclusiveness and equality , most trades people and service workers are not so lucky

walshb

Mountain ouha molehill nonsense..but no surprise. People obsessed with looking for issues..

More an issue I felt was her attacking Pete Taylor in her book....whingeing and moaning because Katie was excelling

Dyr

Only one opinion on this subject allowed by the media

Also, I have no idea why people listen to Wolly, OTB, second captains or whoever. Every single one of em comes across a complete tosser

JohnnyFortune

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411012#Comment_120411012

Is it your opinion that little girls should be murdered by immigrants?

Or that it is a price we should be willing to pay and governments should not be doing checks to find out who is entering their country?