A local DUP MLA has lambasted former Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew over her description of Northern Ireland as a “shithole”.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill moved to distance herself from the remarks made by her party colleague on the recent Borderland – UK or United Ireland? podcast.
Ms Gildernew, while no longer holding elected office, still remains a member of Sinn Fein and took part in the debate alongside the DUP’s Ian Paisley Junior and an audience of young people.
During the podcast, the Dungannon woman – a past pupil of St Catherine’s College in Armagh – debated the merits of a border poll with the former North Antrim MP, and declared: “Northern Ireland is a shithole like. You know, that’s the problem. This country doesn’t work.”
The First Minister later described Ms Gildernew’s comments as “her own and certainly not mine”.
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe wasted no time on Monday in raising the remarks on the floor of the Assembly, rounding not only on the former Tyrone MLA and MP, but on the party as a whole.
And she described Northern Ireland as an “amazing country” which she was “proud to call her home”.
Ms Forsythe described some of the comments made by the former Agriculture and Rural Development Minister during the podcast as “deeply disturbing”, criticising claims “that IRA murders were ‘justified'”.
“No murder is ever justified,” said the South Down MLA. “Sinn Féin’s relentless justification of IRA murders and its glorification of IRA murderers and terrorism is disgraceful and scoffs at innocent victims across this country. For the self-proclaimed First Minister for all to state that there was no alternative to IRA violence is pure hypocrisy. I apologise for quoting Sinn Féin member Michelle Gildernew, Mr Speaker, but, on the same podcast, she went on to say that Northern Ireland is a ‘shithole’.
“The mask truly slipped. Michelle Gildernew’s outburst tells us everything that we need to know about Sinn Féin. The shock and disgust on the faces of the young people in front of whom she said that was clear.
“Her comment was unprofessional and disrespectful and showed outright hatred for our wee country, proudly spouted by a senior Sinn Féin member.
“It set out clearly what Sinn Féin thinks of this place and of the people here, including many of its own voters. Is that why its Ministers do not bother? Is that why the Minister for Infrastructure is happy to let the roads fall apart or why the Minister for the Economy fails to champion Northern Ireland, promote and support our businesses and celebrate their successes? Is that why the Minister of Finance sits back and blames British austerity for everything yet seeks to do little for people here himself?”
Ms Forsythe flagged reasons why she believed Ms Gildernew’s comments fell way off target.
The DUP MLA added: “Let me be clear that Northern Ireland is an amazing country, which I am proud to call my home. From its natural beauty to its boasts of amazing tourist attractions — the Mountains of Mourne, the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast, the Fermanagh lakelands and many more — it is a special place with good people.
“There are many key facts that Sinn Féin chooses to ignore in its opinion of this place.
“In education, our pupils lead the way, outperforming their peers across Britain and the Republic. In healthcare, our NHS is free at the point of need, unlike in the Republic, where a visit to a GP costs €80.
“The Northern Ireland economy exported £65 billion worth of goods last year. It has attracted world-class investors and, with its strong agri-food sector, is leading the way in farming and fishing. Unemployment is Northern Ireland stands at 2·6%, which is lower than the Republic’s 4·6%. Housing in Dublin is in crisis, while homeownership here is still within reach for our working families.
“Northern Ireland benefits from being part of the world’s sixth-largest economy, that of our United Kingdom. That is what Sinn Féin refuses to acknowledge. Northern Ireland works, and it works for everyone. I will always be proud to defend Northern Ireland and its place in our United Kingdom.”
