From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William "Willie" P. Farrell (born 28 May 1928)[1] is a former Fianna Fáil politician from County Sligo in Ireland. He was senator from 1982 to 1983, and from 1987 to 2002.
An auctioneer and member of Sligo County Council, he was elected in 1982 to the 16th Seanad, on the Industrial and Commercial Panel. He lost his seat at the 1983 Seanad election, but was re-elected in to 1987 to the 18th Seanad and held the seat until he retired at the 2002 Seanad election.[2]
Farrell was criticised in the Seanad and beyond in May 1990.[3] The house was debating the Larceny Bill 1989, and an amendment by Joe Costello proposed to remove the clause in existing legislation which made "the abominable crime of buggery" a criminal offence. Farrell launched an attack on the opposition parties and on gay senator David Norris, in which he said "I am amazed at Senator Norris, an educated, intelligent man like him, is so obsessed with his favourite sexual activity that he put that before the welfare of the people who are being robbed and plundered", and went on to say "We are going, with our amendment to allow perverts of all kinds".[4] Farrell's comments were criticised by senators from all parties, including Tras Honan, a former Cathaoirleach,[4] and Fine Gael called his remarks "vicious".[5]
The following day, Farrell made a statement to the Seanad in which he said that his remarks were "completely misconstrued" and that "the record of the House will show I was specifically speaking about blackmail". He added "I am very sorry about the use of the word 'pervert'. I did not mean it in the context … I did not mean it to affect anybody in this House and I was not referring to anybody in this House".[6][7] The Cathoirleach, Seán Doherty, did not permit any comment or debate on Farell's statement.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Mr. William Farrell. Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
- ^ Willie P Farrell. ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ "The Irish Emigrant, Issue No. 172", 21 May 1990. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
- ^ a b Official Report (Seanad Éireann), Volume 124, 16 May 1990, Larceny Bill, 1989: Recommittal and Fifth Stage.. Oireachtas. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
- ^ "FG spokesman calls attack on Norris 'vicious'", The Irish Times, 18 May 1990, p. p.2. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
- ^ a b Official Report (Seanad Éireann), Volume 124, 17 May 1990, Personal Explanation by Member. Oireachtas. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
- ^ "Farrell says perverts remark misconstrued", The Irish Times, 18 May 1990, p. p.2. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
