Is Phil Hogan a "bigoted racist"?

Banjo String · 31-05-2014 10:55AM #1

I see big Phil is going to sue TV3 over claims made on the Vincent Browne show that Phil was a bigoted racist (the comments were made by Browne himself)

Phil is suing for defamation apparently. Bit OTT by Browne, but has Hogan left himself open for the criticism?

ENVIRONMENT Minister Phil Hogan is suing TV3 for defamation arising out of comments made by the broadcaster Vincent Browne, the High Court has heard.

Mr Hogan claims he was defamed on 'Tonight with Vincent Browne' on May 20 of last year by the broadcaster, in an exchange with Fine Gael TD and now Children's Minister Charlie Flanagan, who was a panelist on the show.

It is alleged Mr Browne described Mr Hogan as being "a bigoted racist" arising out of representations made by Mr Hogan on behalf of a constituent over the suitability of a family, who are members of the Travelling community for a vacant council property in Co Kilkenny.

Mr Hogan claims the remarks inferred he was prejudiced towards Travellers, sought to prevent the housing of members of the Travelling community, had breached the Incitement to Hatred Act and was not suitable for his role as minister or a TD.

He says the allegedly defamatory remarks have damaged his reputation and caused him extreme stress.

Mr Hogan is seeking damages and a correction order, and an order directing TV3 to remove the broadcast in question from its website.

TV3 denies his claims on grounds including that Mr Browne's statements consisted of an opinion honestly held by him. This opinion was based on grounds including that Mr Hogan made a number of public statements, including contact with Kilkenny County Council, regarding the matter.

In a pre-trial application to the High Court yesterday, Mr Hogan asked for an order amending his original statement of claim. Mr Hogan wished to amend his claim after checking a number of factual matters and several matters needed to be clarified, his counsel Rossa Fanning said.

However, counsel argued the amendments did not affect the central issues of Mr Hogan's claim.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/hogan-suing-tv3-over-claim-browne-called-him-bigoted-30318440.html

Big Phil has been an utter disaster for FG as far as PR goes. They really need to get him into a back room role Imo.

Be interesting how this one goes.

Reformed Character · 31-05-2014 10:59AM

He says the allegedly defamatory remarks have damaged his reputation and caused him extreme stress.

The only way you could damage that fúckers reputation would be by saying something good about him, I notice he is not claiming any damage to his "good name", probably because that would require him to show that he has one!

Richard Hillman · 31-05-2014 11:00AM

I hope he wins

migozarad · 31-05-2014 11:00AM

Bigotry,like anything,is all relative.I suggest you look north for a masterclass on bigotry inits truest,most unaldulterated form.See Pastor McConnell's anitcs in the last few days for example..

Banjo String · 31-05-2014 11:01AM

Reformed Character wrote: »

He says the allegedly defamatory remarks have damaged his reputation and caused him extreme stress.

The only way you could damage that fúckers reputation would be by saying something good about him, I notice he is not claiming any damage to his "good name", probably because that would require him to show that he has one!

I would almost say Phil is about 50% responsible for the drop in the party's popularity in the polls.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 31-05-2014 11:02AM

Banjo String wrote: »

Phil is suing for defamation apparently. Bit OTT by Browne, but has Hogan left himself open for the criticism.

.

So because he's a ****e politician people should be able to say what they like about him?

Banjo String · 31-05-2014 11:03AM

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I hope he wins

And if he doesn't? Would that actually mean he is a "bigoted racist"?

Far better outcome for Phil would be to get Browne to withdraw the remark.

This could go either way.

gordongekko · 31-05-2014 11:04AM

I can't see this thread ending well

Banjo String · 31-05-2014 11:04AM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

So because he's a ****e politician people should be able to say what they like about him?

If you could show me where I inferred anyone could say what they like about him, that'd be awful nice.

Thanks.

wp_rathead · 31-05-2014 11:11AM

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

So because he's a ****e politician people should be able to say what they like about him?

Infairness to Banjo - Im fairly sure he meant that by campaigning for the family not to get moved in "he is open to criticism" - the fact he is a gobsh!te has nothing to do with it..

suicide_circus · 31-05-2014 11:17AM

Maybe he could have said family housed in his Portuguese villa?

Reformed Character · 31-05-2014 11:27AM

suicide_circus wrote: »

Maybe he could have said family housed in his Portuguese villa?

The one he won't pay his legally due service charges on?

Arthur Beesley · 31-05-2014 11:33AM

No, but Vincent Browne is a gobsh**e.

Nonoperational · 31-05-2014 11:36AM

Banjo String wrote: »

If you could show me where I inferred anyone could say what they like about him, that'd be awful nice.

Thanks.

What a stupid, patronising post.

Banjo String · 31-05-2014 11:39AM

Nonoperational wrote: »

What a stupid, patronising post.

So stupid you make no attempt to counter it? I didn't suggest anyone could say what they wanted to about Phil Hogan, I even said Browne went OTT.

That makes your post an Ironic one.

fran17 · 31-05-2014 11:40AM

no he's not.he may be a bit abrupt but he's a straight shooter and thats very rare in the dail.political correctness has gone mad nowadays and people just dont like hearing the truth anymore.who hear would like a traveller family with a history of trouble living nextdoor? show of hands please:D

tonycascarino · 31-05-2014 11:55AM

Phil Higan is one of the biggest slimeballs around. Hope he loses.

RobertKK · 31-05-2014 12:03PM

I can happily say I never voted for Big Phil, sent me a letter in the past which was not the truth in my opinion, about a local issue when politicians could be both councillors and TDs.

I wonder if they finally got the message as FG for the first time never canvassed me, though I wanted them to as I had a lot to say.

My name is URL · 31-05-2014 12:35PM

He's a gobshite in any case. Himself and Kenny don't seem to have much of a problem with referring to the nation's people as 'Paddies'

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/paddy-now-knows-the-charge-hogan-says-of-water-tax-of-240-average-per-household-1.1785808

I hope TV3 fight it to the end.

He says the allegedly defamatory remarks have damaged his reputation

lol

fran17 · 31-05-2014 12:48PM

My name is URL wrote: »

He's a gobshite in any case. Himself and Kenny don't seem to have much of a problem with referring to the nation's people as 'Paddies'

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/paddy-now-knows-the-charge-hogan-says-of-water-tax-of-240-average-per-household-1.1785808

I hope TV3 fight it to the end.

lol

5/10 must do better

My name is URL · 31-05-2014 12:54PM

fran17 wrote: »

5/10 must do better

Excellent contribution as always

31-05-2014 01:27PM

A few years ago i did not have any problems with the Irish traveler. Up until the last 2 years i am constantly on edge trying to stop them from breaking into my house and my neighbors house. Almost on a daily basis.

Time since last incident 1 Hour !

fran17 · 31-05-2014 01:53PM

Deleted User wrote: »

A few years ago i did not have any problems with the Irish traveler. Up until the last 2 years i am constantly on edge trying to stop them from breaking into my house and my neighbors house. Almost on a daily basis.

Time since last incident 1 Hour !

i sympathise with you.my work place has the same problem every week of the year,including christmas week.what can you do though? neither the law,local government or politicians has the stomach to tackle it

oppenheimer1 · 31-05-2014 02:07PM

Banjo String wrote: »

I see big Phil is going to sue TV3 over claims made on the Vincent Browne show that Phil was a bigoted racist (the comments were made by Browne himself)

Phil is suing for defamation apparently. Bit OTT by Browne, but has Hogan left himself open for the criticism?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/hogan-suing-tv3-over-claim-browne-called-him-bigoted-30318440.html

Big Phil has been an utter disaster for FG as far as PR goes. They really need to get him into a back room role Imo.

Be interesting how this one goes.

So you're asking people to say if Phil hogan is a bigoted racist, while he is taking legal action against someone for saying the same thing?!

Surprised this thread is still here, since they're usually locked and deleted for a lot less.

eviltwin · 31-05-2014 02:15PM

If people were concerned about travellers on the basis on anecdotal stories then yeah VB would have a point but there is a long history of criminality in the community. Obviously not them all but you don't know who you can or cannot trust and as such people are afraid. You can't blame them. Not many people would want a halting site or traveller housing near them.

rgossip30 · 31-05-2014 07:13PM

Interesting will be the outcome. To know that you can sue someone who calls you a bigot or a racist .
A balance is overdue.

Tail Docker · 31-05-2014 07:22PM

rgossip30 wrote: »

Interesting will be the outcome. To know that you can sue someone who calls you a bigot or a racist .
A balance is overdue.

I read this in Yodas voice.

Supup · 31-05-2014 07:27PM

Travellers are not a 'race' FFS.

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller · 31-05-2014 07:32PM

Loved when he said: 'That's not a knife. THAT'S a knife'.

McNulty737 · 31-05-2014 07:37PM

I agree, travellers are just as Irish as the rest of us. They play the ethnic minority victim card at every opportunity to the point where you can't condemn the rampant anti social behaviour associated with the traveling community without being labelled a 'racist'.

Also, the PC brigade choose to ignore the fact that the travellers in question did have an anti social behaviour history (surprise surprise):

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/traveller-in-phil-hogan-row-was-convicted-of-stealing-cash-28817253.html

Not a racist....and i'd love for Vincent Browne to have a few traveller families move next door to him.

Banjo String · 31-05-2014 08:20PM

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

So you're asking people to say if Phil hogan is a bigoted racist, while he is taking legal action against someone for saying the same thing?!

Surprised this thread is still here, since they're usually locked and deleted for a lot less.

Yeah that's exactly what I'm asking. If you agree with Browne or did Browne go over the top.

Is Phil Hogan a "bigoted racist"?

Comments