An Independent Ireland general election candidate has said he stands over comments he made at a special Dublin City Council meeting where he linked immigration with crime in the city centre.
Cllr Philip Sutcliffe, who is running in Dublin South Central under the Independent Ireland banner, told a meeting on Monday night: “Let’s talk about why Dublin is not safe. There are so many immigrants on the street selling drugs. You walk down O’Connell Street today, spot the Dub.
“You walk down Dorset Street, spot the Dub. It’s the truth. I walked through O’Connell Street the other night. Six and seven coloured guys at a machine ... That is one of the main reasons why Dublin does not feel safe, that is why a lot of people do not come into Dublin.”
The meeting was called on Monday night to discuss the Dublin City Taskforce report that was published recently by Taoiseach Simon Harris.
After making the comments, he was called upon by other councillors to apologise and withdraw the remarks, which he did.
However, speaking to The Irish Times on Tuesday, he said he only apologised as he did not want to offend Green Party Deputy Lord Mayor Donna Cooney, who had called on him to withdraw his remarks.
“I don’t like to offend any lady but if you’re talking the truth, talk the truth,” he said.
Ms Cooney told the meeting that “things were said here that I believe the councillor should withdraw. It is all right to say they believe there is drug dealing on the street or that we need more social housing. But it is not okay to put a racial slur on that or indicate that the people who are up to antisocial behaviour come from a particular place. We have had drug issues in this city since the 80s.”
She received some applause, and Mr Sutcliffe withdrew the remarks after being accused by Fine Gael Lord Mayor James Geoghegan of making “ethnically motivated remarks”.
Speaking on Tuesday, however, Mr Sutcliffe said: “People have been pussyfooting around the issue. We are getting overrun. I’m not racist at all. I’ve had fellas canvassing here with me from all walks of life. But there are so many immigrants in town, you walk down O’Connell Street and Dorset Street and we will have a look and see what the story is. It is getting worse.”
Mr Sutcliffe said he had heard of an attack in Dublin city centre in recent days, but conceded he did not know who the perpetrators were. He also conceded that Dublin has had a drug problem for a long time.
Mr Sutcliffe is a former boxing coach for Conor McGregor and a mentor to him. He won a seat in this summer’s local elections and shortly afterwards recorded a video on social media where he thanked Mr McGregor’s beer brand for sponsoring him.
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