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MICHAEL LOWRY HAS hit back at criticism over an election banner placed on a monument in Thurles which dates back to 1450.
Historian Mary McAuliffe told TheJournal.ie,“It’s defacing a national monument.
“It’s intrusive, it’s treating our built heritage as a commodity – not as something we should value in and of itself.”
The Tipperary independent TD said he wasn’t aware of the backlash, but that it was private property “and the owner granted permission for it”.
He added, ”As long as I can remember it has always been used for advertising by different local community groups.”
However, McAuliffe said that she was “gobsmacked” when she saw the banner placed on the landmark Bridge Castle.
“I couldn’t believe it – that anybody would use our built heritage to advertise themselves.
It would be like putting ‘Vote for Michael Lowry’ across the Rock of Cashel, it’s the same thing.
“I know they are of different value for people but it’s the same thing.
“Tipperary has some of the best built heritage in the country and should be more protective.”
McAuliffe said she was surprised by the amount of attention a photo of the banner has generated online.
“It’s not just a listed building – it’s a protected structure,” she said.
The tower house was built 1450, according to the Urban Archaeological Survey for North Tipperary.
While it’s not included on the latest record of Protected Structures for North Tipperary, it is recorded on the 1998 Recorded Monuments list, Protected under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994.
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Don’t vote for him then!
Who in thear right mind would vote for him.
Who in their right mind indeed, but he’ll top the poll.
The people in Tipp will
anthony campion, No we won’t vote for him, there’s a large part of Tipp south of Thurles that both Lowry and Kelly are about to find out exists.
Unfortunately William north tipp will vote in droves for him while the south tipp will be split so he’ll top the poll
How can this well-bribed crook run a campaign from inside a jail cell…??
He is in jail, isn’t he…??
He’ll top the poll simple as that,he looks after the roads and goes to the funerals,doesn’t matter what dodgy dealings he’s involved in he’s a ” man of the people” ” one of our own”
As Lowry’s “one of our own”, that doesn’t say much for the North Tipp electorate. They must all be as (allegedly) shifty as him.
And ensure everyone knows he has no values.
He could go on a murderous spree around the town and he’d still be voted in and if it was a tipp jury he’d be found not guilty
a man of the people
Sure he fixed the roads!
…. and he’ll fix the walls :p
Didn’t he get the stadium for us?
And isn’t he well able to stand up to “that crowd up in Dublin”? You know, “the Dublin 4 meeja”.
a political powerhouse
Sometimes tommy….I think you’re a double agent.
Dane, I don’t usually comment after any of your childish multiple accounts but grow up.You might have to take down your framed picture of Kenny off the bedroom wall.The driving lessons obviously not paying enough but FG MUST be covering the rest.The people of Ireland have woke up I think it’s time you do….
Real men of the people don’t rob the people.
“Real representatives” I’m sure you mean there Avina?
A man of the people Tommy??? The people of Esat maybe,, and some of the people of tipp as well, with the local issues he has sorted for them,, but for what he did for the rest of the people in this country,, the man should be in jail…….
Michael Lowry is the visible embodiment of the Cute-Hoor Career Politicians and short-sighted parish-pump politics that have plagued this country since the counter revolution that followed the War of Independence.
a political shithouse
That face should be behind bars.
Wish it was reported on who gave him permission
Jesus does he have no shame, as if the posters on the light posts weren’t enough of an eyesore.
You should know by now he has no shame
Good point, I should of said less shame than previously thought possible.
He’s the Lionel Messi of brassneckery.
Betcha Kelly puts one up the Flagpole……
He’d plaster his face onto the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel if he could…
The people that vote for him disgust me as much as he does. The same kinds vote for Jackie Healy Rae and family too.
Jackie Healey Rae is dead so is not standing for election, he might still vote though!
Papasmurf, nail on the head. #northtipp=northkorea
@papasmurf. And the same that voted for Bertie.
His only excuse is that ‘they did it first!’.
What sort of argument is that. You either see it as wrong or you don’t. Just because some arsehole tailgates or cuts you off, it doesn’t suddenly make it ok for everyone to do it.
Just tear it down.
Who is worse, the idiot that stands for election or the idiot that votes for him?
I’m sorry but the people of North Tipperary are just idiots.
Just like the people in certain north Dublin constituencies who voted for certain famous pocket lining individuals in the not so distant past.
I’m afraid that North Tipperary doesn’t have the monopoly on the ‘idiots’
He can do no wrong in Tipperary
Not true.
Wouldn’t rule him out to be voted in..but with South Tipp having a say for the first time..neither himself or Kelly can be as assured as normal…
Dreary looking town
It’s a bit of a kip to be honest but then again the area hasn’t exactly had much of a chance with the likes of Lowery in their corner. It could quite a nice place with a bit of political will. I mean though,who in the hell thinks it’s a good idea to plaster their mug all over a historical landmark?
They’d slap one on yer granny’s forehead if they could
That sounds extremely dirty….
This man is a bowsy and an embarrassment, which means he’ll top the poll!! Yay! Dontcha love democracy!!!
Take it down. Plain and simple.
Those lads removing the posters the other day should head south and remove this piece of filths poster
I guarantee you that no one in thurles or even tipperary, supporters or non supporters, batted an eyelid at this non story. It’s non stories like this are what drives people to vote for him, ” oh look, someone in Dublin is having a go at our michael again “.
So I guess you don’t give a shitwhat he does to your heritage as long as he gets a few votes out of it.By the way defacinmg a fifteenth century building is hardly a non story.
Why not stick a 25ft by 25ft poster of Alan Kelly on the Rock of Cashel while you’re at it.
Ah stop will ye, I doubt you even knew this building even existed!. If this is private property and he has permission to put this banner up for three weeks, then I don’t see the fuss. If it was mattie mcgrath or any other candidate in the local area, I guarantee this wouldn’t make a story!. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand the gangster, would love to see him in jail, but it’s the ” lets bash lowry bandwagon ” driven by these non stories are why a lot of people vote for him down here.
There are a lot of honest decent Tipperary people who do care ( enough to send the story to The Journal ) and are embarrassed by Michael Lowry and the people who vote for him
The people of Tipperary know which side of the bread is buttered.
Gonna be the highest polling politician in this election.
All politics is local.
I don’t think they do though.. Tipperary is a beautiful county with some of the nicest people you’ll come across but large swathes of the county have been literally abandoned when it comes to thing’s such as jobs and basic infrastructure like hospitals etc. Thurles in particular is an unemployment hotspot and is suffering it’s knock on effects such as crime and drugs. It’s not going to recover if they keep electing a man more interested in stuffing his pockets than highlighting the difficult issues hurting people on the ground.
Cheapest land prices in the country for years.
Relatively underdeveloped Tipperary.
The heart of 32 county republicanism.
Sorry, 26 county.
Wtf are you on about Oran? Republican what in Tipperary? Have you never travelled around Ireland or something?
The 3rd Tipperary Brigade was probably the most active Republican unit in the war of independence.
95 years ago you mean? I could name you at least half a dozen of proper hotbeds of republicanism in “the 26 counties” (as you so disrespectfully refer to our country) today than feckin’ Tipperary.
Oran, you really have to clarify when you make statements like that in this day and age. Incidentally my grandfather knew and fought with Dan Breen. I was lucky enough to get his Black and Tan medal with the Comrac Bar and it’s one of my families most prized possessions. Extra proud to have it given the War of Independence will probably be forgotten once the centenary of The Rising is over.
Lowery and abuse should always be in the same sentence. He is always abusing his position, he cheated on his taxes, he cheated on his family, he cheated on the decent people of Ireland. Will his family carry on that tradition? Are they involved in politics?
He could stand for SF/IRA and people would vote for him. Some people have no morals.
Incorrect about Richard Rodgers.
I never used two names at the same time.
At least the banner is not crooked!
Sure didn’t he fix the roads?
There is at least one person unhappy about anything that happens. People behaving exactly as you’d expect isn’t news.
I’m unhappy with your comment. I am not news. I feel so empty now.
At least we have the sweet embrace of death to look forward to. Until then we can continue commenting bitterly on journal articles, saying how much we dislike them.
As the sewing machine repairman said to the customer “I shall make it sew”.
he is some legend in fairness
Hey Dane/Tommy, did you take your medication today ???? as clearly your off your game
As long as corruption doesn’t bother you…
BUT HE FIXED THE ROOOAAD!
Where the hell did this complete non story come from? Let me guess-twitter! Someone with nothing more to moan about than a poster that will be on a wall for the next 3 weeks takes to twitter and tweets their outrage. It’s not the only poster apparently that has been on the wall according to her tweet https://twitter.com/MaryMcAuliffe4/status/695886779598139393 But to be fair it does make one tweeter say “this makes me angrier than his actual corruption and sleaziness.” REALLY!??
you want to determine whats news now?
Do you get tired of making fake accounts every time you get banned from the Journal or is it just a special credit for your psych report?
So, you’re allowed to be outraged, but they’re not.
Got it.
Brian maybe it’s because Lowery thinks it ok to damage listed therefore protected building.
Stephen, who says that he damaged it?
should all potential news be ran by you brian to see if you deem it worthy for us mere mortals?
Hey Dane… I mean Tommy should you not be out giving driving lessons today down there in sunny wexford….Best day for a bit of business ???? or are you just cracking one out there saying SF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRASF/IRA
The wall of that castle is used to advertise every event in Thurles -non story
If he lived back in the 1450s he would probably he hanging from the tower for real
Lowry, showing his class once again
Tipp seems to be the most backward County in Ireland. Voting every year for a man who is not worth it and Alan kelly .
When they learn to vote for some honest people we should go on a tour to .Tipp.
But hopefully the South tipp get rid once and for all.
I really hope your right Von id hate to have him as our representative
What a philistine !
He is the King of Thurles and that’s his Castle
Lowly doesn’t care about history. In face his former party would be the same
Tear the stupid banner down and show the rest of the country that Tipperary people are not all sheep.
Is planning permission needed?
Lol…
YES! Any works on a protected structure require pp, you have hit the nail…change of external appearance, change of use..
It’s just a poster. How much damage could it do? Some people love looking for an excuse to complain about something.
Lowry’s phallusy!
Stay classy
I’m sure if I stuck a poster up on leinster house there’d be rucksions.
Poster my ass
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