FORMER PRESIDENT of the GAA and Fine Gael Ireland South candidate in the European elections Seán Kelly has defended his appearance at an event to mark 21 years as a TD for Michael Lowry.
Mr Kelly said he attended the 1,400 strong event as a friend of Mr Lowry’s with whom had worked closely through the GAA and was not there in a political capacity.
He also said voters had found Mr Lowry worthy of election and it was not for him to judge anyone. However, Mr Kelly said he would not reject Mr Lowry’s endorsement of his candidacy.
Mr Kelly spoke on local radio yesterday amid mounting criticism of his appearance at the celebration in Tipperary. The criticism was made by his running mate Colm Burke and by Sinn Féin Ireland South candidate Toireasa Ferris.
Mr Burke said he would not have attended the event and supporting Mr Lowry was akin to supporting Brian Cowen and the Fianna Fáil Government.
On Radio Kerry Mr Kelly said he knew Michael Lowry “for 23 or 24 years entirely through the GAA and not through politics”.
Asked about Mr Lowry’s tax evasion, Mr Kelly said he would not condone that: “But you can condemn the sin without actually ostracising or condemning the sinner.”
It was not for him to judge anybody as a Christian. The tribunal would take its course, he said.
“The fact is whether people like it or not, he is a representative of the people of north Tipperary. He has been consistently re-elected for 21 years and if he wasn’t worthy to be a TD he wouldn’t be there, and if he wasn’t entitled to be there he wouldn’t be there. I was there entirely as a friend, a pure social gathering and nothing else.”
Mr Kelly also said loyalty was a very strong quality in the GAA and he would not disown anybody.