'I did not attend the protest' - TD responds to car crash RTÉ refugees interview

Carlow/Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor was interviewed recently by KCLR's Edward Hayden on 'The Saturday Show' where she addressed avoiding asylum seeker protest questions.

The Carlow TD refused to answer 'straightforward' questions in car crash RTÉ interview earlier this month over plans to house male international protection applicants in the Capuchin building. 

The Government reversed their plans to house fifty male international protection applicants at the Capuchin building located on Dublin Street, Carlow Town following an uproar on social media and protests in the county. Families have now been moved into the old Friary building instead.

Edward Hayden pressed Murnane on the questions she avoided in her RTÉ interview.

"Jennifer, you were on with Mary Wilson the other morning on Morning Ireland. I might re-ask you the questions that Mary Wilson asked you. Did you attend the protest that was called in Carlow?'

Deputy Murnane replied: "No. Edward. I clarify it now, I did not attend the protest."

"When Mary did ask me the questions, I can say personally, I actually thought I answered them, because what I had said was; I am working within the community. I will speak to anyone, any individual or any valid group - and I have to say that now about their concerns - I will talk to any valid group."

"But I did not attend the protest."

When asked: "Why did you not attend the protest Jennifer?" by KCLR broadcaster Edward Hayden, Deputy Murnane said: "I didn't, I was actually in Dublin. I was on TV3."

"But I didn't attend a protest because I believe, and I said this on on Mary Wilson's show, that my best way was to speak to anyone that wanted to speak to me.

"I had to talk with the department."

Murnane went on to say: "It is causing huge concerns in the community. I can tell you there's fear in communities."

Edward asked: "Can I ask what those fears are? Everybody keeps talking about this fear and nobody seems to want fifty men, single men, seeking international protection coming to the community. Is there any sense of why that is the case?"

The Carlow TD said: "Well, now I can just give you my opinion, Edward."

"My own opinion is that the fears are based on misinformation, untruths. And again, I can only say spread by a small minority of groups. Like if you look at social media, and this is just an example. Some people are saying they're dangerous, they're predators. They're criminals. But there's no evidence again, of this and you know, this is where I feel public consultation and communication is so important and I said this as well on Mary Wilson's show, regardless of gender, these people are human beings. As a mother, a woman, a TD, I am concerned and saddened that vulnerable people are being targeted and labeled by some people who don't understand the sadness and the roots of the crisis. And we have an obligation."

The Deputy continued: "It is again about information and transparency and communication because this will be complicated by individuals who choose to fuel fires of hate. And I've seen this on social media.

"Look, I've seen myself when I did my interview on Morning Ireland, and you know, it says your interview was a car crash. Now, some people might think that, but I thought I'd answered the questions.

"Then I addressed the interviewer's name several times."

"Can I just say, my mother always taught me when you're in an interview or talking to someone, it's always respectful and courteous, to be polite and use their name. I'm very conscious, did I use it too much? But all these things, Edward are on social media, or whatever."