Apologising for Rape Joke while Leaving Material on the RTE Player is an Empty Gesture

Apologising for Rape Joke while Leaving Material on the RTE Player is an Empty Gesture - Kealy

Aontú spokesperson, Becky Kealy has called on RTE to remove the grossly offensive 'NYE Countdown Show' content from the RTE Player. She stated; “apologising for material while still making it available online, feels like an empty gesture from senior management in RTE”. Becky’s statement comes as thousands of people have signed an Aontú petition against the discrimination.

“We welcome that RTE has apologised for the grossly offensive 'NYE Countdown Show' broadcast on the night of New Year’s Eve. In an effort at cheap laughs the programme delivered a sketch in which God was accused of raping a migrant girl, Mary. The sketch was completely offensive to millions of practicing Christians in Ireland. It is inaccurate according to any book of faith. It makes little of sexual crime at a time when it is a real, serious and prevalent issue for so many”.

“Its hard to believe that RTE would deliver such an offensive sketch targeted at any other religion. Imagine the outrage that would emerge if RTE broadcast a sketch caricaturing Allah, Krishna or the Dali Lama as a rapist. At a time when Christians are being targeted, attacked and killed all over the world, this is not acceptable”.

“Ireland is a pluralist republic. That diversity is part of the richness of Ireland. All our citizens to be allowed to be who they are to the full extent without having to hide. Yet this casual discrimination and continuous ridicule against many who hold the Christian faith dear is creating a chilling effect pushing religious expression into the closet. This is wrong and RTE should remove the material”.

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The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.