The Justice Minister has labelled a tweet by Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin “offensive, inappropriate and disrespectful."
The Sinn Féin housing spokesperson posted a picture of a famine eviction with masked members of the Gardaí in attendance.
One member is seen standing over a person lying on the ground.
Members of the Government have reacted angrily to the tweet – and are urging Minister Ó Broin to delete it and apologise to members of the Gardaí.
No words needed (credit Mála Spíosraí) pic.twitter.com/JK6NVcFNeU
— Eoin Ó Broin (@EOBroin) April 1, 2023
Interim Justice Minister Simon Harris said the post shows what Sinn Féin “really think of the Gardaí”.
“The mask slips,” he said.
“It’s offensive, inappropriate and disrespectful to the men and women of An Garda Síochána.”
A new low for you Eoin
— Regina Doherty (@ReginaDo) April 1, 2023
Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell told Newstalk the tweet was “utterly pathetic”.
“I think it is entirely inappropriate for a prominent member of the opposition to frame An Garda Síochána in such a way,” he said.
“I would reiterate what the Minister for Justice has said, that the mask has slipped on Sinn Féin, who we all know have a chequered history when it comes to respecting the authority of An Garda Síochána up and down the country.”
Today’s social media post by a leading member of the main opposition party shows what they really think of the Gardai. The mask slips. It’s offensive, inappropriate and disrespectful to the men and women of An Garda Siochana
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 1, 2023
He said the opposition position on the eviction ban has been inconsistent.
“When it comes to the eviction ban and the lifting of it, I think firstly you have to realise that the opposition has been very flaky in relation to it,” he said.
“Firstly, it was December 31st, then it was January 31st and then it was April 31st of next year.
“So, they are not even being consistent in the manner in which they have approached this issue.”
A new low for you Eoin
— Regina Doherty (@ReginaDo) April 1, 2023
Some opposition TDs also took offense at the tweet, with Labour’s Aodhan Ó Ríordáin also urging Deputy Ó Broin to delete it.
He said the Gardaí “deserve better” adding “I suspect Eoin realises that.”
We all make mistakes on here.
Easy solution - delete the tweet, apologise and we all move on.@gardainfo deserve better than this & I suspect Eoin realises that. https://t.co/tp4kJdDLmB— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) April 1, 2023
Deputy Ó Broin posted the image just hours after the eviction ban was lifted, with charities fearing a surge in homelessness over the coming weeks.
Homeless charity Threshold told Newstalk it is currently dealing with almost 1,800 live cases of tenancy termination – with that number only expected to increase in the coming months.
There have been several high-profile incidents where Gardaí have become involved in evictions in recent years.
Garda policy states that members should not engage in tenancy disputes “unless a criminal offence is alleged or disclosed”.
It notes that when Gardaí are present at an eviction, their role is to “ensure peace and public order is maintained”.
AGSI (Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors) General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham described Deputy Ó Broin’s tweet as “deeply offensive and wholly inappropriate”.
Deeply offensive and wholly inappropriate tweet..and this from an elected representative!!!…how insultingly wrong to portray @gardainfo @AGSI_Ireland @gardarep colleagues like this..@SimonHarrisTD @LeoVaradkar https://t.co/OoyEYlG9J8
— antoinette (@antoabs) April 1, 2023
The Government agreed to end the eviction ban earlier this month, despite an outcry from opposition parties and housing organisations.
More than 11,700 people accessed emergency accommodation across the State in February.
