ACROSS Europe last week, there was horror at the success of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the first round of the French presidential election. But in rural Cork, a history teacher was quietly celebrating.
“Of course that has to please us,” said Aine Ni Chonaill, a general election candidate for Immigration Control Platform. “Obviously, when you are strongly in favour of immigration control, as we are, you are always happy to see someone put it forward successfully on the political agenda.”
Her running mate, Ted Neville, saw the vote for Le Pen as a great expression of democracy. “We are trying to give similar voice to people who have similar concern,” said the Cork South Central candidate.
Like the homeless man on Dublin’s Moore Street last Thursday who shouted at a group of Labour canvassers: “Why don’t you get me off the streets instead of giving it all to the niggers.”
Congratulations. I can’t remember a time in my life where just for a moment I’ve not been proud to be Irish. Now I can.