‘Fully committed’ to disability groups

GOVERNMENT officials have insisted there is full commitment to people with disabilities after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was briefly booed at the Special Olympics opening ceremony in Croke Park.

Booing came from sections of the stands as Mr Ahern took the stage to address the crowd of 85,000 athletes and spectators in the stadium, and a worldwide television audience of millions.

It followed rapturous cheers for remarks by Special Olympics chairman, Denis O’Brien, who said his wish would be that the Olympic torch would “ignite new beginnings” and allow men and women with a learning disability to take their place in the world as fully integrated citizens.