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Ireland election announced PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

THIS MORNING, FORMER Fianna Fáil minister Pat Carey spoke out about his sexuality on RTÉ Radio One, saying he never had the “courage or confidence” to do it before.

Speaking to Sean O’Rourke, the 67-year-old said that hearing Leo Varadkar’s radio interview last month inspired him to take the plunge.

I said that if I got the opportunity – I said it to myself, I didn’t say it to anybody else – that maybe my perspective might be helpful to other people of my age.

Many people are tweeting their support for Carey – here are just a few of the reactions to his announcement.

Some people congratulated him on coming out at 67

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Really touching to hear a public figure of that generation talk about finally feeling confident enough to say "I'm gay." #Patcarey
— Joan O'Sullivan (@JoanStories) February 13, 2015

Joan O'Sullivan / Twitter

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Fair play to Pat Carey. Not easy for someone of his generation I'd imagine. #yestolove
— Karen Mulreid (@beatingblog) February 13, 2015

Karen Mulreid / Twitter

Some people had a good old cry

Far too early in the day to be snivelling. Thanks Pat Carey :) #TodaySor
— Suzy Byrne (@suzybie) February 13, 2015

Suzy Byrne / Twitter

Ah damn, Pat Carey has made me snivel in the office. Fair Play #MarRef
— Donnacha Mac Uidhir (@DonnachaMaguire) February 13, 2015

Donnacha Maguire / Twitter

The Pat Carey interview on @TodaySOR is making me cry. V glad he finally feels comfortable talking about this publicly.
— Anna Carey (@urchinette) February 13, 2015

Anna Carey / Twitter

Some reflected on the fact that Carey hadn’t the “confidence” to speak out until now

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Fair play to Pat Carey for coming out, it's clear we've always had LGBT politicians but sadly they are only now able to be open about it
— Seán 尚恩 (@SGlennonB) February 13, 2015

Seán Glennon / Twitter

Sobering to remember that for more than two thirds of Pat Carey's life, he was criminalised because of who he loved. #YestoLove #MarRef
— Colm O'Gorman (@Colmogorman) February 13, 2015

Colm O'Gorman / Twitter

Sad to think people are still hiding who they really are.Everyone deserves to be happy, love and be loved. #PatCarey #MarRef
— Honora Egan (@honoraegan) February 13, 2015

Honora Egan / Twitter

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Others were astounded that he managed to be on both Newstalk and RTÉ Radio One simultaneously

Pat Carey - decent skin. Some talker - two stations simultaneously @PatKennyNT @TodaySOR
— Mick Caul (@caulmick) February 13, 2015

Michael Caul / Twitter

Pat Carey is juggling two interviews at the same time #TodaySOR #PatKennyNT
— Claire Brock (@ClaireBrockTV) February 13, 2015

Claire Brock / Twitter

And some just want to give him a big hug

I want to give Pat Carey a bear hug right now. #todaysor
— Elaine Byrne (@ElaineByrne) February 13, 2015

Elaine Byrne / Twitter

You can listen to Carey’s full interview here.

Originally published on DailyEdge.ie

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Some people congratulated him on coming out at 67

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Some people had a good old cry

Some reflected on the fact that Carey hadn’t the “confidence” to speak out until now

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Others were astounded that he managed to be on both Newstalk and RTÉ Radio One simultaneously

And some just want to give him a big hug

Read: Former minister Pat Carey gave an incredibly moving interview this morning about being gay>