Mayo Sinn Féin candidate apologises for offense caused to LGBTQ community

A Mayo Sinn Féin election candidate has apologised for an article he wrote for a newspaper he edited a number of years ago that was offensive to the gay community.

Tony Geraghty, who Sinn Féin has selected to run for Mayo County Council in next year’s local elections in the Castlebar Municipal District, penned the controversial article which was published in 2008 in the now-defunct Mayo Echo.

In a statement issued to the Irish Independent and published in today's newspaper, Mr. Geraghty said: “Approximately 15 years ago I was the editor of a local newspaper in Mayo (The Mayo Echo) that published an article about men frequenting a local lake in the town.

"The tone and language were offensive to the LGBTQ community and unhelpful to those who feared coming out to friends and family.

"I took full responsibility for publishing the article.

“I apologised at the time for the tone and language, and for the offence that was caused, and I do so again.

"It was a mistake, it was wrong, and I learned from it. I can only promise in the future to try hard to use language that is inclusive, and non-offensive, and I will do my very best to do so.

“I am glad that the Ireland of today is a more inclusive society than it was then, and I am committed to protecting our LGBTQ community from all forms of prejudice and discrimination."

At the announcement of his election candidacy, Mr. Geraghty described himself as a “passionate and committed community activist.”

He has been a Sinn Féin activist for many years and played a key role nationally for the party in its 2020 general election success.