A POLITICIAN in Ireland has described as 'disgusting' an article that branded Ireland a "land of puppy farms, dingy bars, drug mule celebs, verbal diarrhoea and squeaky fiddles".
The piece for Country Squire Magazine, headlined ‘Get Stuffed, Eire’, has attracted widespread indignation since The Irish Post first reported on it last week.
In a long rant claiming the “best things in Eire are all British”, author Jim Browne labelled Ireland a country “where the burglars from Britain – with surnames like Kettle and Rafferty – return to build eyesore ‘palaces’ in ratholes like Rathkeale (a small Irish town swollen by the proceeds of crime)”.
Fianna Fáil are one of a number of organisations who have spoken out to condemn the piece.
Party deputy and Louth TD Declan Breathnach said: “I was genuinely shocked to read this disgusting article. The lazy stereotypes peddled by the piece are deeply disappointing in this day and age.
“Aside from the inaccuracies and casual dismissal of the dire impact Brexit may have upon this island, North and South, the author specifically attacks Irish culture and history.
“Depicting Irish people as criminals and drug mules, the article trades in racist stereotypes to make a broader point about Irish-UK relations that belongs to the 19th century not the 21st.”
Following the outcry, big names such as Land Rover and Barbour distanced themselves from the publication after links for the companies appeared on the website.
Taking to Twitter, Land Rover commented: “(We) do not endorse these views and we are speaking with our advertising agency to remove the advert.”
They added: "Our investigation into this confirmed that the Land Rover advert is fake and not placed by us or our agents."
Richie - our investigation into this confirmed that the Land Rover advert is fake and not placed by us or our agents. Ben - Land Rover UK
— Land Rover UK (@LandRover_UK) 12 August 2017
Luxury fashion brand Barbour said: “Unfortunately this advert has been placed without our consent. We are taking action and do not in any way endorse these views.”
Country Squire Magazine loses two of its main advertisers following publication of anti-Irish opinion piece. pic.twitter.com/ZbbbJMn3PE
— Philip Boucher-Hayes (@boucherhayes) August 12, 2017
The magazine has replied saying that the links weren't actually ads: "The outrage wagon claims Country Squire has been “disassociated by Land Rover and Barbour” not realising that their “ads” were never ads and copyright issues were never an issue because the copy used was not copyrighted and pointed, like all our banners, to businesses we approve of or charities and non-profit organisations we support. Never for ad revenue."
The links are no longer on the Country Squire Magazine website.
Country Squire Magazine have published an open apology for “overstepping the mark” with their article, claiming the writer, Jim Browne, has now resigned.
“On the one hand, it is important that controversial articles are published that may cause upset. It is important to generate forthright debate about issues affecting our lives,” wrote Mr Browne himself.
“On the other hand, it is also important, however, not to publish comments that overstep the mark. Where my column did so in the eyes of so many, I am deeply sorry.
“I would like to state publicly that I have nothing against the Irish people, some of whom are my friends and family.
“My daughter is married to a fellow from Galway and I can report I worked with an Irish business colleague for decades without any major turbulences, even during the six nations.
"My article was targeted wholly at the Irish Government and clearly, for many, my volleys lacked accuracy.
"I am in my seventy-sixth year now. And maybe I am a dinosaur, as Cathy M called me in her right to reply.
“One is never too old to learn. I would say that in older age one tends to understand situations better too. Even without the Editor’s wise intervention I suspected that my clock was ticking and maybe I have not felt so tired in my whole life as I do now.
Nevertheless, Country Squire magazine is feeling pleased with the outcome: pic.twitter.com/Hmyl8JG5Zw
— Solange LeBourg (@solange_lebourg) August 13, 2017
“Therefore, with great sadness on my part, I can confirm that yesterday evening, after I forced his early return from a holiday to deal with the crisis I had caused, the magazine editor and I had a long discussion and he agreed to accept my resignation from the magazine forthwith.
“Also, he agreed that the article shall be removed from Country Squire Magazine at my own behest during the course of Sunday when the uploader is available. I accept full responsibility for any grief caused."
He added: "I would like to apologise wholeheartedly to those who I have offended. You have my genuine apology.”
Irish journalist Ken Murray told LMFM that he has contacted London’s Metropolitan Police about the article, adding that he had also made a complaint to gardaí about its “shocking racist bile against all Irish people”.
Despite their apology, Country Squire Magazine appear to have enjoyed the attention over the last few days.
A tweet from the publication reads: “Huge increase in website traffic and engagement on twitter past couple of days.
“Figures going through the roof! Thanks to all.”
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