Is this appropriate behaviour from a TD?

Banjo String · 27-09-2014 11:04AM #1

Firstly, this is not a political thread, I dont want to discuss the TD's political party, or their politics.

However, am I alone in thinking this behaviour by TD Frank Feighan is completely inappropriate?

He elbows, then almost makes a go for an elderly man (probably a pensioner).

I don't think an elected government minister who acts in this aggressive manner towards a member of the public should be in office, and quite frankly should be ashamed of himself.

Watch the video and judge for yourself.

https://amp.twimg.com/v/4ae2fbc4-9e39-41b2-8389-e5361917dd17

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 27-09-2014 11:06AM

Anyone that who manhandles an old person should be ashamed of themselves.

Banjo String · 27-09-2014 11:08AM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Anyone that who manhandles an old person should be ashamed of themselves.

He looked quite pleased with himself afterwards tbh.

caolfx · 27-09-2014 11:09AM

He tried to hustle Feighan out of the way. Feighan pushed back, somewhat excessively, sure, but he nor anyone is in any position to be outraged. You can't expect to push TD's around without retribution.

What did he expect to happen? If' he's that old an frail he shouldn't put himself in those situations in the first place.

Cienciano · 27-09-2014 11:10AM

Wouldn't expect anything less from a TD. Lick the arse of his boss, no one else matters.

Banjo String · 27-09-2014 11:11AM

SuperOito wrote: »

He tried to hustle Feighan out of the way. Feighan pushed back, somewhat excessively, sure, but he nor anyone is in any position to be outraged. You can't expect to push TD's around without retribution.

What did he expect to happen? If' he's that old an frail he shouldn't put himself in those situations in the first place.

We have been watching different videos it seems.

Watch it again from very start to very end of it.

Gives much more insight both before and afterwards.

Before, you can see him (the assaulted) standing at the kerb (as he would be entitled to do,) even before the TD comes along.

TD then walks over to be in front of him, at this point man in blue shoves him, right into Feighan, he then reaches out, places a hand on Feighans shoulder (he's clutching a leaflet or something) and Feighan puts the elbow into his ribs, at least twice and makes an aggressive pass at him also.

I would also love to know who the big brave lad was that snatched him from behind, even though Enda Kenny was inside the building, and was well out of' harms way'.

If this was Coveney / Doherty / Martin / Flanagan /Wallace I'd be saying the same thing.

It's funny how some people only see what they want to see. Move along, nothing to see here.

Feighan himself would even disagree with you.

In a statement, Mr Feighan apologised to Mr McDermott and admitted he overreacted.

The Fine Gael TD said: “Fine Gael members, families and their children had come to Roscommon Town to meet Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

“Assessing the situation when he arrived, I formed the opinion that the Taoiseach was going to be confronted in an aggressive and physical manner.

“In hindsight, I misread the situation and overreacted in a tense situation.

“As a Fine Gael TD and a member of the Government, the public expects the highest standards.

“I regret if any actions of mine caused hurt to anybody especially the Hospital Action Committee candidate and former Roscommon senior county goalkeeper, John McDermott.”

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/politics/td-frank-feighan-face-garda-4334470

An apology will undoubtedly make the assaulted' ribs feel better.

He needs to be sacked now. Like something we would expect from communist Russia tbh.

If the shoe was on the other foot, and it was the man elbowing the TD, no doubt that his head would called for by a baying mob.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 27-09-2014 11:11AM

SuperOito wrote: »

He tried to hustle Feighan out of the way. Feighan pushed back, somewhat excessively, sure, but he nor anyone is in any position to be outraged. You can't expect to push TD's around without retribution.

What did he expect to happen? If' he's that old an frail he shouldn't put himself in those situations in the first place.

The guys a scumbag, there was no need for it.

4zn76tysfajdxp · 27-09-2014 11:14AM

Personally, I think we should return to the days when members of parliament could hand out a few digs to the proletariat with impunity.

caolfx · 27-09-2014 11:15AM

Banjo String wrote: »

We have been watching different videos it seems.

What I saw was a hand clutching a leaflet being placed on his shoulder.

Watch when the door of the car opens, the 'pensioner' starts pushing.

LexieOnRale wrote: »

The guys a scumbag, there was no need for it.

Unfortunately some old people think they can do what they want and when their actions turn against them they expect to be treated differently because their old.

I think he should take some responsibility. I agree it seemed somewhat excessive, but he's trying to get distance so he can open the door and let his boss out.

Not making excuses. Just the way I see it.

keano_afc · 27-09-2014 11:16AM

"TD" and "ashamed of themselves" are two things you never see in a sentence. Our elected officials are morally corrupt and completely above reproach.

Wallace, Flanagan, Lowry, Cooper-Flynn, the list goes on. All reprehensible people but completely shameless.

Duggy747 · 27-09-2014 11:20AM

Excessive all right, he looked like what a kid would when its annoyed though I was expecting a frail, old, almost-dead pensioner by the way people have been referring to the guy who was elbowed.

That article is cringe with it's emotive writing, too.

kneemos · 27-09-2014 11:20AM

Hail the leader.

matrim · 27-09-2014 11:22AM

The guy being pushed / elbowed is John McDermott an independent TD also running in the election

tayto lover · 27-09-2014 11:23AM

Pushing and elbowing people goes hand in hand with arrogant politics.
Fine Gael have it in spades.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 27-09-2014 11:25AM

SuperOito wrote: »

Watch when the door of the car opens, the 'pensioner' starts pushing.

Unfortunately some old people think they can do what they want and when their actions turn against them they expect to be treated differently because their old.

I think he should take some responsibility. I agree it seemed somewhat excessive, but he's trying to get distance so he can open the door and let his boss out.

Not making excuses. Just the way I see it.

Would you think it's okay to shove a child out of the way? Older people aren't as strong as they once were. Had the guy behind not steadied the pensioner, he probably would have fallen, he could have broke a hip, or banged his head. It's not a 30something year old that could hold his own, it was a weaker older man.

diomed · 27-09-2014 11:25AM

If he ever loses the auld seat there's always a place for him in the Seanad.

Banjo String · 27-09-2014 11:27AM

SuperOito wrote: »

Watch when the door of the car opens, the 'pensioner' starts pushing.

I can't see it tbh.

Even in this 'better' video. That's most definitely not pushing Imo.

https://amp.twimg.com/v/4ae2fbc4-9e39-41b2-8389-e5361917dd17

There's only one aggressor in the clip.

It ain't the older guy.

Cienciano · 27-09-2014 11:27AM

SuperOito wrote: »

Not making excuses. Just the way I see it.

Pretty much every sentence you wrote is making excuses for it.

Rasheed · 27-09-2014 11:28AM

That 'pensioner' would be very upset at being described as elderly.

Gillo · 27-09-2014 11:28AM

Am I watching the same video?
One man tries pushing past another man and get shoved back, possibly with a little too much force but not excessively. He's not exactly old either.
The two of them were as bad as each other.

Cool_CM · 27-09-2014 11:29AM

At least he didn't pull a John Prescott

kneemos · 27-09-2014 11:31AM

Banjo String wrote: »

I can't see it tbh.

Even in this 'better' video. That's most definitely not pushing Imo.

https://amp.twimg.com/v/4ae2fbc4-9e39-41b2-8389-e5361917dd17

There's only one aggressor in the clip.

It ain't the older guy.

Bit of pushing on both sides.Youth wins.

Beaner1 · 27-09-2014 11:33AM

Gillo wrote: »

Am I watching the same video?
One man tries pushing past another man and get shoved back, possibly with a little too much force but not excessively. He's not exactly old either.
The two of them were as bad as each other.

He was pushing past to accost another pensioner who also happens to be the leader of the country. He would have got a bullet for his efforts in most countries.

martinn123 · 27-09-2014 11:33AM

It's the perogative of the Local TD, to greet the Taoiseach, exiting from his car, to ensure his/her face gets on the News.

No one gets in the way, of his/her moment of fame.

matrim · 27-09-2014 11:33AM

kneemos wrote: »

Bit of pushing on both sides.Youth wins.

Looks to me like the guy in the blue shirt actually starts the pushing.

Tail Docker · 27-09-2014 11:36AM

How do ye think anyone gets on in Politics, you need sharp elbows, metaphorically and physically. It's a business for pushy fcukers.

I remember being at the ploughing when Ahearn was taoiseach and he was "walking" through the crowd with a big red head on him and all winning smiles. Ten feet ahead of him was a phalanx of big Gards, physically shoving the crowds aside so he could wander along all amicable and down to earthey. It's a career for gurriers in suits.

Banjo String · 27-09-2014 11:36AM

Gillo wrote: »

Am I watching the same video?
One man tries pushing past another man and get shoved back, possibly with a little too much force but not excessively. He's not exactly old either.
The two of them were as bad as each other.

Watch it again.

Man with dark glasses and blue shirt.

Watch him from as soon as he comes into view. Let me know where shoving and pushing starts.

Mint Aero · 27-09-2014 11:37AM

Absolute scumbag. Should be taken to court.

Right Turn Clyde · 27-09-2014 11:40AM

SuperOito wrote: »

He tried to hustle Feighan out of the way. Feighan pushed back, somewhat excessively, sure, but he nor anyone is in any position to be outraged. You can't expect to push TD's around without retribution.

What did he expect to happen? If' he's that old an frail he shouldn't put himself in those situations in the first place.

Lies.

Richard Hillman · 27-09-2014 11:40AM

The Garda need to step up security around An Taoiseach. It shouldnt be left to TD's to manage crowd control.

Paco Rodriguez · 27-09-2014 11:40AM

Someone came barging behind him and he pushed back without seeing who it was. It could have been someone throwing an egg or paint for all he knew.

If it was Obama the guy would have been shot. I think it's a weak effort by the opposition to stir up site.

Is this appropriate behaviour from a TD?

Comments