'You've nothing else to do than watch me online': Jibes fly between Limerick TDs over fuel protests

A FIERY on-air exchange between Limerick TDs Niall Collins and Richard O’Donoghue has seen the Fianna Fail man accusing his rival of misleading the public as Mr O’Donoghue hit back that the minister of state has “nothing else to do” but watch him online.

An explosive war of words erupted live on the Limerick Today morning radio show with Joe Nash on Live 95 this Friday morning.

The Fianna Fail TD made comments regarding Mr O’Donoghue misrepresenting the facts in relation to the ongoing fuel price protests and the effect they are having on people. Joe jumped in to say Mr O’Donoghue wasn't there to reply. Within minutes Mr O'Donoghue was live on air defending his position.

Mr Collins said to Mr O’Donoghue: “You're trying to let on, on one hand that you're an organiser and that you're a spokesperson and that you're the front of the protest in Limerick, but yet you'll go on Facebook and you'll deny any responsibility for being an organiser when it's put to you that people can't get to UHL for critical appointments.” 

Mr Collins said the HSE have reported that blue lights are being impeded on the way to UHL.

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After the elected representatives, in raised voices, argued over each other for a period Mr O’Donoghue said: “I'm 100% that I did not organise this protest and I 100% back this protest - that's a fact. I didn't organise it but I agree with everything that they're doing and I back them 100% and that's why I'm here with them. That's the first thing that Niall said and he twisted it but that is the truth.”

Mr Collins said Mr O’Donoghue is “trying to evade responsibility” with the Independent Ireland TD saying the minister of state “doesn’t know what he’s talking about”.

Mr Collins’ next point was the HSE saying that it is taking people four to six hours to get to work in UHL and that patients have been unable to attend critical appointments. 

“Go ahead and deny it again but it is happening,” said Mr Collins.

Again the exchanges between the two politicians became more heated with Joe Nash having to intervene. 

Mr O’Donoghue said he offered to try and help anyone that had appointments, or that was delayed for appointments, to make sure that they got through.

“There's going to be disruptions when there's a protest on. If you want to hear what I said, go online Niall and you've nothing else to do than watch me online. I’m on record saying to make sure that all passage ways were clear for anyone with medical appointments and frontline services and they're not to block the road,” said Mr O’Donoghue.

Mr Collins said people have been stopped going to the maternity hospital. “It's a disgrace, Richard,” said Mr Collins.

Mr O’Donoghue denied people were being asked for identification by protestors.

“No, it's not happening, 100%. We had people yesterday that said that they were turned away from a protest because the road was blocked. It wasn't blocked by the protestors. It was actually blocked by the gardai because they said due to health and safety, they couldn't let them down there,” said Mr O’Donoghue.

“Nonsense,” retorted Mr Collins.

“There was a carer going to see a vulnerable client in Banogue who was asked for identification by one of your wardens. There was a person going to UHL asked by one of your wardens for an appointment letter by one of your wardens. You're setting yourself up as the police,” said Mr Collins.

Again the two men argued over one another with Joe Nash taking a break from the debate.

Mr O’Donoghue said they were protesting to help people get to work and drop the price of fuel and hoped for a positive resolution to the talks this Friday afternoon.