Dukes apologises 'unreservedly' for 'unjustified' comments

Former Fine Gael leader acknowledges the offence his comments caused

Alan Dukes has apologised for his inflammatory comments suggesting border people are inherently violent.

Following condemnation of his comments by four Cavan-Monaghan TDs, including Minister Heather Humphreys, the former Fine Gael leader made his public apology on Thursday evening on Today FM’s The Last Word with Matt Cooper.

“Those remarks were entirely unjustified. They offended a great many people and I apologise unreservedly,” Mr Dukes said.

He said his comments were in the context of the “wave of violence and intimidation" that followed the action to salvage Quinn's company.

“There was, as you know, very strong, personal violence,” said Mr Dukes.

“There was sabotage of material and equipment, and intimidation – all of that was dreadful.

“It didn’t in any sense justify for the remarks I made, which as I say, I apologise for without any qualification.”