Taoiseach ‘proud’ to march in parade decried as homophobic

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he was “proud” to march for his country in the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York, despite criticism by gay rights campaigners who protested at yesterday’s event.

Mr Kenny said his participation in the parade — attended by more than one million spectators who lined Fifth Avenue — was “a real opportunity to continue to express the solidarity that we have with Irish America”.

“Many people in the parade today are members of the gay community, and they are marching proudly in the St Patrick’s Day parade as I will myself on behalf of my country.”