There was controversy last night when Wexford TD Mick Wallace responded to the ongoing terrorist attacks in Paris by criticising France’s foreign policy:
“So terrible for the victims, but when is France going to stop it’s role in the militarisation of the planet?”
The tweet in question drew in a large number of responses, most of which were critical of Wallace’s timing. Irish television producer Maia Dunphy considered the tweet to be an inappropriate response to the attacks:
“Seriously?!? You decided this was an appropriate tweet on hearing the news??”
The Sunday Times editor Frank Fitzgibbon responded to Wallace by saying “if you’ve nothing useful to say – say nothing”:
“if you’ve nothing useful to say – say nothing”
Wallace’s political opponents were also quick to criticise the tweet, with Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty calling it an “inhumane response to such a loss of life.”
Not everyone was critical of Wallace, however, as United Left Alliance TD Clare Daly publically backed her political ally:
“Tragedy beyond belief…everyone’s thoughts with victims but it’s always the right time to ask why or it will go on. “
Daly’s backing of Wallace prompted further responses, with Irish Independent columnist Colette Browne criticising the timing of the tweet:
“it’s really not – 100 hostages in a concert hall and the death toll still rising.”
