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Wexford TD criticised for 'burn at the stake' comment

Wexford TD criticised for 'burn at the stake' comment

A leading Sinn Féin TD has criticised a tweet from a party colleague which called on a female TD to "burn at the stake".

Wexfords Johnny Mythen is reported to have made the comment in a tweet in 2012 about the then Labour Social Protection Minister Joan Burton.

It follows criticism yesterday of a cartoon in a newspaper which depicted Mary Lou Mc Donald as a witch.

Mr Mythen criticised Joan Burton for cutting welfare payments during a time of austerity and supposedly went on to say - "When Joan of Arc Burton is being burnt at the stake, I’d say she needn’t bother calling the fire brigade."

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Speaking at a press conference at Leinster House, Mr Aengus O Snodaigh appealed to everyone to remove inappropriate comments posted in the past.

He said this level of abuse in politics is not acceptable.

"We all have a duty to make sure to monitor our commentary online.

"More and more we are understanding the nature of social media and I think people need to very careful of what they say and I include myself in that.

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"We need to be very careful and there can be consequences."

Johnny Mythen is yet to make a comment.

 

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