The Green Party leader has apologised after using the n-word in the Dail.
Eamon Ryan uttered the word while speaking about racism in Ireland.
He said "In a newspaper today there was a story about a young Irishman, Sean Gallan, who gave his experience of being othered and of his being given the name “n*****”.
Deputy Ryan has since apologized:
I made a speech in the Dáil today about the scourge of racism in our society. In quoting from an article I read this morning, I repeated a racial slur, and I was completely wrong to do so. I want to apologise for any hurt caused. I know this particular word should never be used.
— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) June 11, 2020
He was referring to an article by Sean Gallen in today's Irish Times, were he described how being called the n-word at the age of 6 marked "the first instance of being othered" and "rang like a death knell."
He said it happened shortly after he moved from Martinique to Ireland but that the slur would be used against him repeatedly by both adults and children.
Eamon Ryan has faced criticism from within his own party following the comments and later apology.
Cllr. Daniel Whooley, Green Party representative for Ongar, Dublin has questioned Deputy Ryan's leadership "I do not believe that any parliamentarian who invokes such words, be it by mistake or on purpose, should lead an Irish Political party, the use of these words is disgusting".
The Councillor goes on to say Deputy Ryan's "comments today go against core principles of the Green Party. It does not matter if it was a mistake, what matters is that he used the words."
