VIDEO: Sonia O'Sullivan hits out at statue’s detractors

The most vocal of those offended by the new statue of Sonia O’Sullivan have been urged not to judge the piece on a photo finish.

The online reaction to the statue’s unveiling has been mixed, with some claiming it bears little resemblance to the Olympic silver medallist and former world champion, while others have hailed it as a fitting tribute to an Irish sporting heroine.

Hendrik Verwey, chair of Cobh Tourism, yesterday acknowledged some of the online criticism but said that those who have seen that statue in person have come away with a different opinion to those judging the bronze work, based solely on photographs circulating online.