Fine Gael councillor criticises family of drowned Syrian boy

A Fine Gael councillor has criticised the family of a drowned Syrian boy — whose tragic death gripped the nation — and said that he would still be alive if his father had not taken unnecessary risks.

Kildare councillor Darren Scully is himself now facing criticism after he sent a letter to a newspaper and said that the family of the three-year-old Syrian boy were “not fleeing for their lives”.

Mr Scully is no stranger to controversy and was once forced to resign as a mayor after being caught up in a racism row for saying he would not represent black Africans.