Fine Gael TD apologises to Holly Cairns over 'ignorant little girl' tweet

Social Democrat TD Holly Cairns: 'You do have to laugh' at the fact that the only defence those in favour of greyhound racing have is to go on the attack. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A Fine Gael politician has apologised to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns for liking a tweet that referred to her as an "ignorant little girl".

Ms Cairns and her party have strongly opposed increases to funding for Irish greyhound racing and have called on the Government to phase out state support for the sector. That sparked a backlash online from those in the industry.