Donegal County Councillor criticises online ‘vitriolic attacks’ on Senator Flynn

Donegal County Councillor, Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig, criticised what he called “the unrelenting attacks on Senator Eileen Flynn” as a “disgrace to the Irish nation.”

The Glenties Municipal District Independent Councillor posted an online statement, defending Senator Flynn, who lives in Ardara. 

Senator Flynn, who was the first woman from the Traveller community to sit in the Upper House, said in the Seanad that she was “terrified” to attend any protest where the Irish “tri-flag” is present.

Whilst speaking on the fuel protests, Senator Flynn said: “I didn’t attend any of those protests, and the reason why I didn’t? It was overtook by the far right. It was overtook by the far right.”

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig stated that “the avalanche of race and vitriolic attacks on her” had been caused by Senator Flynn’s honesty. 

READ NEXT: Homeless accommodation system in Donegal criticised as ‘not helpful’

He said: The ongoing vile hatred against Eileen is obviously being directed at her because she is a strong, intelligent and a very capable woman. Eileen can see through the false politics of those injecting themselves into the legitimate concerns of the people ó Éireann.

Eileen is also a proud member of the travelling community. She has also openly expressed her clear support for the plight and exploitation of migrants, who have been forced by imperialist wars and greed to flee their homelands. You won't hear her detractors speak about that. Therefore, the attacks are racist as well. Shame on those, the tiny minority within Ireland, who engage in this putrid behaviour. It is not Irish, and it is not human.

These so-called "flag patriots" have nothing in common with the leaders of 1916 or any other progressive thinkers and activists in Éireann, since then. They are a cancer within our community, our heritage and culture, and society in general.

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig concluded his nearly 500-word statement by saying Eileen Flynn was “the classical example of 'Women in Struggle'. 

“She personifies all that is good in Ireland, and is a very capable, educated and caring woman, from the travelling community. Eileen has spent her whole life fighting injustice against the travelling people, and, indeed, for the wider Irish population. She is fearless and determined, and I support her 100%.”