Bairbre de Brun Sinn Fein MEP acceptance speech May 2009

[chigsee]

It is completely unacceptable that unionists heckled de Brun whilst she spoke in Irish. She has every right to speak in Irish - unionists need to grow up! I'm glad Sinn Fein topped the poll - the DUP are so arrogant - this should give them a lesson - Sinn Fein are now the biggest party in the North of Ireland.

[camlinhall]

Comhghairdeas, a bhean uasal!!!

[robaleen]

I wrote to the BBC complaining about the improper behaviour of the presenter who said he would talk over Bairbre de Brún until she spoke in English, thus actively preventing us from hearing what the newly elected MEP had to say.

I received a polite reply to my complaint. The BBC apologised for the offence which he caused and stated that his remarks and interjection during her speech was inappropriate and a mistake. They re-assured me that this behaviour was against BBC policy regarding Irish.

[phoenix1916]

Well done for putting ur point across anyway, we need to keep these people in check...maith thu!

[yingyangsang1]

Who says censorship is dead in NI?

[dcoy4]

well done mate.

[nallyterrace]

Pretty much a dead language?

"Pretty much"?

Irish speakers had their rights safeguarded by European legislation and this presenter showed great disrespect not only to Bairbre de Brún as an elected MEP with the largest share of the vote but also to the Irish language and its proud speakers.

The BBC should issue an apology for this outrage. I;m not one to jump on the bandwagon but I honestly and sincerely do find that offensive.

[robaleen]

The presenter's remarks are highly insulting, not only to Irish speakers but to all who believe in free speech. He continued talking until she spoke in English. The BBC needs to be investigated as to their lack of commitment to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Incidently Noel Thompson did the same thing the last time Bairbre De Brún was elected MEP. So we have an idea of BBC policy about Irish. This is despite Irish being an official language in Northern Ireland.

[TirEoghainLad]

Disgraceful behaviour from the unionists but we have come to expect that from them. With elements of Unionism being linked to the National Front / BNP/ C18 we should expect nothing less of them.

However we must be doing something right-my guess is that they (unionists) know Irish Freedom is coming-the election result is just one small measure of the progress that is being made in that direction.

[padraic2001eire]

"I'll try and say something in English until she speaks in English".

The description of this video is just right, Unionists are fucking childish. Let them come down the South of the island they live on and boo an elected politician during a speech in Irish.