Furious protestor spits at Harris
Former senator Eoghan Harris was spat at by an angry protestor yesterday after he denounced
republicanism’s role in Irish history at the Liam Lynch Commemoration in Fermoy.
The political columnist’s address at the annual ceremony in honour of the Irish general during the War of Independence and Civil War caused a number of people to leave in protest, and he was heckled and booed throughout.
One man spat in his direction at him as he left the commemoration in disgust after the outspoken Mr Harris said most republicans were moral cowards when it came to challenging fellow republican peer pressure in confronting atrocities in the name of freedom.
“In 2016 the Irish Republic must not play the IRA’s game by waving a green flag or glamorising the gunmen of 1916 or 1921.
“The cult of Michael Collins is no less lethal than the cult of Liam Lynch,” he said.
Today he said he stood by his remarks and that he expected a strong response. saying he wanted to highlight a new way of reconciliation between republican and unionist communities.
He said a garda asked him if he wanted to take action over the spitting incident but he declined.
Cllr Frank O’Flynn, chairman of the Liam Lynch committee, said he was appalled by the address.
“We in no way condone what he said. He attacked Liam Lynch, who fought to protect the very freedom we enjoy today. It was disgraceful.”
