The editor of the Sunday Independent has apologised this evening for a controversial article by columnist Mary Ellen Synon which said that the Paralympics taking place in Sydney were 'perverse' and 'grotesque.' Aengus Fanning said that many people believed the article was in poor taste and hurtful to disabled people. The columnist has 'endorsed' the apology.
Meanwhile, party leaders in the Dáil, sending congratulations to all the Irish athletes who competed in the Paralympics and especially to those who have won medals, strongly condemned the comments. The Fine Gael Leader, John Bruton described them as snide and derogatory and said that while we all cherish free speech with it goes an obligation to respect other people. Labour's Ruairí Quinn criticised what he called her mean spiritidness. The Taoiseach said that the Olympic ideal is about participation and whether you are first or last is irrelevant. Mr Ahern said anyone who criticises the Paralympics does not understand the effort that those who are taking part have put into it.
Earlier today, Ireland won two gold medals at the Paralympics in Sydney. This follows Gabriel Shelly winning gold in the mixed BC1 classification in boccia and Tom Leahy's silver medal being upgraded to gold. Mr Shelly, from Bagnelstown, who is celebrating his 32nd birthday today, beat Antonio Cid of Spain in a tight, tough final, winning 4-3 with the last ball. He was cheered on by hoards of screaming Irish fans.
His trainer, Liam Harbington, paid tribute to Mr Shelly. "He left it late in the early rounds and struggled through Saturday and Sunday. But, we discovered a problem which we put right, and it all worked well in the end." His mother, Mrs Patricia Shelly, speaking to Des Cahill on RTÉ Radio, said that she was thrilled when she heard the news. "He has spent his life dedicated to sport. I am so happy for him as he has tried so, so hard. It is absolutely brilliant," she said. Mr Shelly, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, failed to win a medal at the Atlanta Olympics, but took silver at the World Championships and was considered a strong medal hope for Ireland at these Games.
In a separate development, Cork's Tom Leahy, who won silver in the Cerebral Palsy discus last Saturday, has had his medal upgraded to gold. This follows a successful complaint, registered by the British team, that the Pole who won gold was not as disabled as the class required and he was disqualified. Therefore, Leahy moved up to gold and the British athlete who finished fourth took the bronze. On the track today, Limerickman John Fulham has reached the final of the 200 metres.
