Cork carer's confrontation with Simon Harris in election campaign sparked barrage of emails
The Kanturk video exchange was a major stumble in Mr Harrisâ general election campaign running up hundreds and thousands of views across social media. Picture: RTĂ News
Simon Harris received a barrage of emails after a viral incident where he was confronted by a carer in Kanturk during the election campaign.
However, at least half of the correspondence sent to the Department of the Taoiseach supported him with some people saying it had been âoverblownâ. Others took issue with how Mr Harris handled the incident with one saying the Fine Gael leader had âdug [his] own graveâ during the encounter.
One carer wrote of how they had admired the then-Taoiseach but had changed the way they intended to vote because of the video.
They said: â[All it needed was] a quiet moment listening to that lady, looking in her eyes and saying, âI careâ. I think you mistook her tone for something perhaps akin to grievance. I didn't. Because I heard her.âÂ
Scroll for results in your area
Another wrote of how the incident had been âblown out of all proportionâ trying to claim Mr Harris had been set up.
Their email said: âMost people with a jot of sense will see the incident for what it really was rather than what social and mainstream media have made it out to be.âÂ
One person said Mr Harris had been âdoing greatâ and they had been caught out in similar situations. An email said: âMy opinion is Fine Gael disability services strategy should be clearly verbalised by all this week.
âI hear MicheĂĄl Martin on about it this morning and you should use the opportunity each time someone brings it back up [to] use it to get another 100 votes.âÂ
Another said they felt âvery sorryâ for how Mr Harris had been treated despite the work he had done for people with disabilities and their families. The parent, who had a son with disabilities, wrote: âI hope you have an overwhelming victory over the begrudgers and whiners.âÂ
One person said the incident had shown Mr Harrisâs âtrue coloursâ. âArrogant and incompetent, you wonât be getting my vote,â they said.
A carer said that he had shown âanimosityâ towards people who work in disability.
They wrote: âThe disregard you have shown for the lifeblood of this country is despicable. Iâve been a carer my whole life and you know who has made our lives worse? Fine Gael.âÂ
Another email said the concerns raised during the viral incident should have been âraised properly by appointmentâ. âYou are doing an amazing job,â said the message. âThe lady in Cork had no right to speak to you as she did.âÂ
One voter said they wanted to know more about the Taoiseachâs apology and what they said was a âcomplete disrespect and disinterestâ towards marginalised communities.
Their email said: âWhen confronted with difficult questions from the people you govern your response was to just walk away. Is that your attitude to difficult problems in the Irish country as well?âÂ
Another recommended that Mr Harris get a âhappy photoâ with the person involved and get it âon the front of every newspaperâ. âThat will be the end of it and no more apologising,â said the message.
The Kanturk video exchange was a major stumble in Mr Harrisâ general election campaign running up hundreds and thousands of views across social media.
There was also controversy over Fine Gaelâs contact with broadcaster RTĂ after the clip was broadcast and posted online.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
