War of words between Ireland South European hopefuls over comments by replacement candidate

Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan called on TD Michael McNamara to answer “serious questions” about one of the candidates on his replacement list, independent Cllr Emmett O’Brien.

Cllr O’Brien has been quoted in the Limerick Post saying climate change is a “complete myth propagated by Marxists leftists, policists here, members of the Green Party and Social Democrats”.

The outlet has also reported his comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying Limerick should be the “last county” in Ireland to boycott Israel.

The Limerick Leader has also previously reported his warnings of “climate lockdowns” and that climate change will be used “for every kind of enforcement”.

Cllr O’Brien is listed alongside Cllr Máirín McGrath on Mr McNamara’s replacement list, which all candidates have to submit when they run for election.

Ms O’Sullivan, who is running to keep her seat in Ireland South, said Mr McNamara should distance himself from Cllr O’Brien’s comments.

She said Mr McNamara has “serious questions to answer about his own political judgment”.

“He has nominated a Councillor to his replacement list who has spread climate conspiracy theories, called climate change a Marxist myth, and shown blatant indifference to the suffering of Ukrainians and Gazans, who are facing horrendous conditions,” she said.

“McNamara must distance himself from these comments, and confirm that he will not align with political groupings in the European Parliament who espouse similar views, should he be elected. He has been evasive on answering the question on which political grouping he would join if elected. The people of Ireland South deserve to know who McNamara is allying with.”

In response to text messages, Mr NcNamara said his views “are on the record of the Dáil”.

He lashed out at the Greens’ “desperate attempt” to “deflect from their own record”.

“If elected, I intend to take my seat,” he said.

“My views are on the record of the Dáil. Sounds to me like a desperate attempt by the Greens to deflect from their own record.”

Cllr O’Brien said he “sadly” does not expect to take Mr McNamara’s seat at the European Parliament if the TD is elected as he is the second listed substitute.

“While I knew the Greens had little sense of humour, I wasn’t aware of the desperation in their ranks to the extent that they’ve taken to trawling through Limerick Council debates in the eve of an election,” he said.

Cllr O’Brien said his comments in relation to the conflict in Gaza “was a reference to the 1904 Pogrom, and I believe we should reflect on our history instead”.

The 1904 Pogrom refers to a boycott of Jewish businesses and the Jewish community in Limerick between 1904 and 1906. The boycott, along with reported assaults and intimidation, caused many Jewish people to leave Limerick.