SF outrage over racism comments

A LOCAL election candidate running in the Castleknock ward is demanding an immediate apology from the Mayor of Fingal after he suggested her campaign slogan was racist and aimed at migrant election rivals.

Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG), who is running for re-election as a councillor in the Mulhuddart ward, said he was

“particularly disturbed

? at Sinn Féin candidate Natalie Treacy’s

‘one of our own’ slogan.

However, Ms Treacy said she was

“absolutely disgusted

? at his comments and called on him to withdraw them immediately. The matter has also been referred to Sinn Fein’s legal team.

Last week the mayor welcomed new Irish citizens to Fingal at a ceremony in Blanchardstown. In a statement he said it was

“disappointing

? that racism was

“raising its ugly face in the local election campaign here

?.

“We are all familiar with Sinn Fein double standards on water charges and property tax between North and South,

? he said.

“In the local election ward of Mulhuddart they have a Congolese candidate running with Paul Donnelly to garner the ethnic vote.

“But across the canal in the Castleknock ward their candidate, Natalie Tracey, declares herself as

‘one of our own’ in what seems an obvious reference to some of the migrant candidates running there.

?

An outraged Ms Treacy immediately demanded a withdrawal of the comments and is seeking a full apology from Mr Dennison.

“I am absolutely disgusted by the remarks made by Cllr Dennison and I have referred them to Sinn Féin’s legal team for advice,

? she said.

“Cllr Dennison’s comments do nothing to contribute towards efforts to rid our communities of racism and to encourage social and cultural inclusion for all.

“He was making reference to my campaign slogan

‘one of our own’. His insinuation that this term can only be applied to Irish born candidates is farcical. It is clear that the slogan is referring to the fact that I am a local resident of the area in which I am seeking to represent in Fingal council.

“It is wrong of him to play party politics with an issue as serious as this.

“We need unity on the problem of racism and we need to work together to overcome it.

“I am demanding that Cllr Dennison formally withdraw his remarks and apologise to me immediately.

?

A Sinn Fein spokesperson added:

“To try and suggest that a candidate saying they are from the local community is

‘racist’ is pathetic.

“The level of support Natalie is receiving is outstanding and likely to see her elected as Sinn Féin’s first councillor in Castleknock.

“That is obviously the real reason for this ill-informed statement from a Fine Gael representative.

?

It’s the second time the racism issue has hit the headlines in Dublin 15 during the election campaign. Last week in a separate story, Northside People reported how posters belonging to Memet Uludag of People Before Profit Alliance had been defaced by racists.

Large pieces of raw bacon had been pinned to his posters near Superquinn Shopping Centre. Mr Uludag, who has been living in Ireland since 1998 and is an Irish citizen, is originally from Turkey, which is a predominantly Muslim country.

Mr Uludag said he has received a huge amount of support following coverage of the story.

“I hope all of this turned a nasty situation in our society into a positive message,

? he added.

“There were huge numbers of support messages and I even had some people saying,

‘I won’t vote for you but I support your anti-racist stand’. I think this is very important for a future of harmony in society.

?