Deputy Mattie McGrath has said he believes that if a member of the Gardai was pictured in a ‘no’ campaign photograph for the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum, there would be a backlash.
Deputy McGrath was commenting after a controversial photo was published, in which a uniformed Garda accompanied by retired judge Catherine McGuinness. Both were holding an enlarged voter registration form, encouraging people to vote in the upcoming referendum. However, the photocall was organised by the Yes Equality campaign.
He maintains that there would be a backlash by the ‘yes’ campaign if the photocall were backed by opponents to the referendum. He said that a line has been crossed as gardai should be apolitical, adding that he does not believe claims that it was unintentional.
Meanwhile, An Garda Siochana has issued a statement in which it says the event was held in good faith to promote the fact that people can register at Garda stations to vote in the upcoming referenda. The organisation also admitted that it was not appropriate for this kind of photocall to take place given An Garda Siochana’s status as an apolitical and impartial organisation.
