‘I have job to do’ says defiant Kenny

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he won’t let the events of Sunday afternoon in Ballinalee faze him despite the ongoing row over abortion legislation.

Cries of “keep your promise” could be heard as the Fine Gael leader took to the podium and read out the names of all 49 members of MacEoin’s North Longford Flying Column.

“It doesn’t affect me one war or another,” said Mr Kenny when asked whether the demonstration had affected him. “I have a job to do and it has been an enormous privilege to come here to north Longford to unveil a statue of an inspirational personality.”

One of the protestors who broke through a cordon of stewards and assembled gardai defended her actions as she spoke to the Leader.

“He (Mr Kenny) presumes to honour the dead while at the same time proposes to kill the living,” she said.

Asked what Mr Kenny said in response, the woman replied: “He said I disagree, if you look at what’s in General MacEoin’s hand it is the constitution. I said by upholding the Supreme Court decision, you are defying the Constitution because that judgement is not in keeping with it.”