Michael Lowry defends controversial Dáil gesture, says it was taken out of context
Michael Lowry made the gesture to People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy when the TD recorded a video inside the Dáil chamber.
Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has insisted that a two-fingered gesture he made in the Dáil yesterday was not done “with malicious intent,” as he says it has been taken out of context.
Mr Lowry made the gesture to People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy when the TD recorded a video inside the Dáil chamber.
Mr Murphy pointed his phone at Mr Lowry, at which point the Tipperary TD then made the gesture, while Independent TD Barry Heneghan waved at the camera.
In a statement this afternoon, Mr Lowry said that he had made an “errant gesture under provocation”.
“The gesture I made in the Dail yesterday was not made with malicious intent,” Mr Lowry said.
“Unfortunately, the gesture has been taken out of context. Unlike others, I have always respected the rules and values of the Dail.
“My gesture was not intended to be offensive or to cause offence, and I regret that it may have been seen in such a way.”
In the Dáil earlier this afternoon, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Mr Lowry was wrong to make the gesture and that he should apologise.
However, the Taoiseach also described Mr Murphy’s actions as wrong, given that filming within the Dáil chamber is not permitted.
On Tuesday evening, opposition TDs said that Mr Lowry's gesture in the Dáil was a symbolic image of the Government's attitude.
"I think the image that we are seeing of two fingers from Deputy Lowry really sums up the approach that has been taken on this," said Social Democrats acting leader Cian O'Callaghan.
