Mickey Harte and ‘GAA athletes’ criticised for bringing GAA into referendum debate

Some GAA players had an issue with the GAA being dragged into the debate.

A referendum is taking place next month on the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution. Taking place on Friday, May 25, the referendum will either lead to the Eighth Amendment remaining in place or being repealed. That amendment reads as follows:

'The states acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.'

In advance of the voting taking place, various individuals and groups across the country are coming out in support of the 'Vote Yes' or 'Vote No' side of the debate. On Saturday, a group of GAA personalities launched 'The GAA Athletes for a No Vote' campaign in Ballyfermot Sports and Fitness Centre in Dublin. https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_GAA/status/988040728776531968 Tyrone senior football manager Mickey Harte, former Meath footballer Joe Sheridan, former Galway footballer AnneMarie McDonagh and Derry's Aoife Cassidy were all in attendance of the event convened by the anti-abortion Save the Eighth campaign. Prior to the event, the Save the Eighth group issued a statement which referenced a part of the GAA's Strategic Plan which stated they would 'actively seek to engage with and include all members of our society'." Speaking to the Irish Times at the event in Ballyfermot, Harte gave his reasons for his stance.

"It’s a question of stating what you believe and to me it’s a straight vote between a culture of death and a culture of life...It is dehumanising what is happening."

The GAA, however, have maintained a neutral stance on the issue. With the organisation obviously keen not to get involved in the argument, many onlookers were displeased with Harte and his fellow GAA Athletes' use of their platform as GAA stars to encourage voters either way. Recently retired Clare hurler Darach Honan took issue with this. https://twitter.com/TheDuck90/status/987761497827893248 Meanwhile, a Galway LGFA spokesperson told SportsJOE McDonagh 'is not representing Galway Ladies Football in her stance on this issue'. Ballyfermot De La Salle GAA club, 'aware' that the launch was taking place 'by a group of high-profile GAA members' in their vicinity, moved to distance themselves from any swaying via a statement on the club's Twitter account. https://twitter.com/BallyfermotDLS/status/987732535533867008