‘Repugnant’: Twitter expresses disgust over TD’s ‘fat lady’ remark
Twitter has wasted no time condemning Tipperary TD, Mattie McGrath, in the wake of remarks he made in reference to Senator Catherine Noone as chairperson of the abortion committee.
While addressing the media with regards the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment earlier today, McGrath alluded to Senator Noone's physical appearance.
"The fat lady hasn't sang here yet and I'm not talking about the chairperson of the committee or anybody like that," he said in a move which has disgusted members of the public.
Mattie McGrath commenting on abortion committee. “The fat lady hasn’t sung here….and I don’t mean the Chairperson” of the committee pic.twitter.com/oggqME5w6Z
— Sean Defoe (@SeanDefoe) December 13, 2017
Anticipating potential backlash, Mc Grath immediately added: "Best not to say it like that. I'm just saying that as an old saying."
Unfortunately for McGrath, the public didn't accept his hasty explanation, and were quick to use the remark as indicative of a wider problem.
In Mattie McGrath's Ireland, along with the losers sniggering along with him, women exist to be demeaned and controlled. That Ireland is over. #repealthe8th
— Una Mullally (@UnaMullally) December 13, 2017
We won't dignify Mattie McGrath's remarks with repetition, but we take comfort in the fact that in a few hours he'll be resoundingly shown to be on the wrong side of history.
— Lawyers For Choice (@Lawyers4Choice) December 13, 2017
If Mattie McGrath is perfectly happy to spout that kind of misogynistic bile AS PART A STATEMENT IN FRONT OF A LOAD OF REPORTERS, can you imagine what gets said behind closed doors? #gross
— Una Mullally (@UnaMullally) December 13, 2017
I hope that the people of Tipperary can see today what type of dinosaur Mattie McGrath is and remember it at the next General Election.
Horrible, horrible man.— Lucy O' Shea (@lucyoshea) December 13, 2017
Mattie McGrath remarks on Catherine Noone, who must have the patience of a saint, disgraceful and typically ignorant. Every bit as bad as comments made on tonight show towards Joan Burton last night.
— Anthony O'Connor (@Antcon7062) December 13, 2017
what's concerning about this is not just Mattie McGrath's remarks but also the laughter that came from the TDs and his political staff. They really see no problem with it!
— Ruth Coppinger TD (@RuthCoppingerTD) December 13, 2017
That nasty comment from Mattie McGrath while wearing a mental health awareness green badge
— jonathan (@Earl1995Lfc) December 13, 2017
According to reports, McGrath has since apologised to Senator Noone, with the latter telling the press: "I won't be dignifying those comments with a response."
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is keen to see a referendum on the 8th Amendment next year, confirming: "It's my intention that we should have a referendum in May 2018."
However, he has reminded the public of potential obstacles, adding: "As I do not have a majority in this House, unfortunately, and as the guillotine no longer exists I can't promise you that – because we don't control the House. However it will be in the House's hands, obviously a number of things need to be done."
