Councillor apologises for saying Chinese men were fishing for ducks

It may well be traditionally regarded as the silly season for news, but as one Limerick City native quacked yesterday : “It’s a ducking good story.”

The alleged remarks by Fianna Fáil local elections candidate, Joe Crowley, that Chinese fishermen were raiding a protected wetlands nature reserve for “crispy duck” to sell in their restaurants, took increased flight yesterday.

After his initial comments went viral following a report in the Limerick Leader, Mr Crowley yesterday admitted he put a proverbial (webbed) foot in his mouth.

However, when the controversy sparked a series of phone calls from journalists to his mobile phone, he claimed the story had been blown out of context, but the reporter behind the story confirmed he had a recording of Mr Crowley’s feathered remarks.

He told the Irish Examiner: “I’m apologising in case someone thought I was making racist comments, which I [still] can’t understand where that came from. I certainly didn’t believe I had said anything that was racist, but just in case it was construed as being racist, I apologise.

“It was a fun remark, if it was even said. I couldn’t even be sure what I said about it. There is no way anyone would be taking duck out of that [wetlands] for eating purposes.”

Migrant workers group Doras Luimní called Mr Crowley’s comments racist and demanded an apology.

Despite the controversy, Mr Crowley maintained he had seen three Chinese men earlier this week fishing in the protected wetlands, which is not stocked with fish.

“I probably made the Chinese restaurant comment as a joke or whatever, but purely as a joke. But, it wasn’t actually in reference to Asian groups. The individuals involved were obviously of Asian [extraction]; the people who actually had the fishing rod. In hindsight, in a way I wish I hadn’t done it, but it’s been done so, look, I’ll put the hands up, and if it appeared racist I apologise, It wasn’t intended.”

Crowley is a key political aide of Willie O’Dea, who was forced to resign as minister for defence in 2010 after another Limerick Leader reporter provided a taped conversation he had with O’Dea in which he allegedly made comments about Sinn Féin city councillor Maurice Quinlivan. Mr O’Dea had earlier denied making the claims against his political opponent.

Under Limerick City Council bylaws there are no legal restrictions for fishing for small fish on the city’s waterways. It is an offence to try to snare ducks and other river-based creatures.

Asked by the Irish Examiner if he was a fan of crispy duck, Mr Crowley declared: “I most certainly am. I am. Although I’ve been very good. I’ve just lost three stone. I’m following a very healthy diet recently so it wouldn’t be on my diet. I’d be very fond of it.”