Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Latest Breaking News

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Judi Lynn

(164,137 posts)
Fri Jul 12, 2013, 01:21 PM Jul 2013

Irish lawmaker pulls female MP onto his lap during abortion debate [View all]

Source: Raw Story

Irish lawmaker pulls female MP onto his lap during abortion debate
By David Edwards
Friday, July 12, 2013 13:05 EDT

An Irish politician has apologized after he was seen pulling a female colleague onto his lap during an abortion debate that ran into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

As the Republic of Ireland’s upper house was debating a landmark bill that for the first time granted abortion rights in the cases where the life of the mother was at risk, Fine Gael TD Tom Barry was caught on parliament video forcing colleague TD Aine Collins to sit on his lap.

“I went to the Dail bar but I wasn’t drinking excessively,” Barry explained, according to the Irish Independent. “There was nothing pre-meditated, it was stupid, it was disrespectful.”

“I spoke to my wife this morning and all she said to me was: ‘You big eejit.’ I feel so embarrassed over this,” he continued. “I feel very upset that it is being described as that (sexist). I didn’t intend to offend anyone and I can’t offer any excuse other than to put it down to stupidity, naivety and inexperience.”

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/07/12/irish-lawmaker-pulls-female-mp-onto-his-lap-during-abortion-debate/

26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
It looks like assault in the pic. NYC_SKP Jul 2013 #1
Yep, that's an assault all right. bemildred Jul 2013 #26
Gross. polly7 Jul 2013 #2
Ewwww! bravenak Jul 2013 #3
What the actual f*ck?! prole_for_peace Jul 2013 #4
That's called battery, jackass. Hell Hath No Fury Jul 2013 #5
assault and battery.... Alameda Jul 2013 #14
“I feel very upset that it is being described as that (sexist). geek tragedy Jul 2013 #6
He's "upset" that his actions are being called sexist? Scairp Jul 2013 #7
And slaps her rear as she's getting up. Creeper Blandocyte Jul 2013 #8
Reminds me of the Bush and Merkel incident. Definitley upstaged the creep factor. adirondacker Jul 2013 #9
GWB DWinNJ Jul 2013 #11
I hope he apologized to his victim. nt Ilsa Jul 2013 #10
He has yet to apologzie to anyone Kelvin Mace Jul 2013 #21
His lawyers probably told him NOT to apologize. Ken Burch Jul 2013 #23
A 44-year-old man pleads "Naivete and inexperience" mainer Jul 2013 #12
What's the latest estimate for male life expectancy in the Western world? Ken Burch Jul 2013 #24
Stupid, yes. Stargazer09 Jul 2013 #13
I guess they have republicians in Ireland too. olddad56 Jul 2013 #15
K&R! DeSwiss Jul 2013 #16
Creep. Solly Mack Jul 2013 #17
Uh oh. Looks like the Texas GOP has found its replacement for Rick Perry! B Stieg Jul 2013 #18
DUzy! derby378 Jul 2013 #19
Jeebus, how many damned non-apologies Kelvin Mace Jul 2013 #20
Bonus points for enlightenment Jul 2013 #25
Definitely elbow into the thorax time. Zoeisright Jul 2013 #22
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Irish lawmaker pulls fema...