Kenneth Egan and Philly McMahon have both expressed their disappointment with a Fine Gael TD using the term 'druggies' while discussing the drug addiction crisis gripping Dublin's city centre.
Both sporting legends are acutely aware of how addiction can take over and ruin lives with the Olympic silver medalist having battled alcoholism while the Dublin GAA great lost his brother to a drug overdose.
Paul Kehoe used the term in the Dáil on Tuesday as TDs discussed the issue ahead of an RTE Prime Time episode that will examine how the capital's main street of O'Connell Street has become a more dangerous place due to its ever-worsening substance abuse problem.
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The Wexford TD said: “It is a street I'm absolutely ashamed of as an Irish person.
"It is full of druggies, crime, anti-social behaviour, robberies, takeaways, alcohol, drug abuse...this is our main national street in our capital city."
The comment irked many of his fellow politicians and has now drawn the ire of both Egan and McMahon.
Retweeting the clip, the boxing great wrote: "Wrong language to use when speaking about a section of the population that are in pain. May addiction never cross your path!!!!"
He was then quizzed by a follower in GAA pundit Colm Parkinson on why 'druggies' was such a hurtful term for people who are dealing with drug addiction.
The Smaller Fish GAA podcast host asked: "They're drug addicts though Kenny. Is the abbreviation to druggies that offensive? I doubt they care too much. Genuine question."
To which Egan replied: "Drug addicts yes!! But the tone used was dismissive and ignorant. They don’t need to be shifted off our beautiful O’Connell street onto another, they need treatment and compassion."
McMahon meanwhile butted in with: "Wrong again. They are people that struggle with drug addiction not drug addicts.
"Would you say someone that has cancer is a cancer? "I doubt they care too much" shows your lack of respect, let's hope none of your family/friends find themselves struggling with addiction."
Parkinson retorted: "Seems like you're looking for an argument, I'm not, it was a genuine question. Relax yourself."
McMahon then added: "It's judgemental, disrespectful and shows how ill informed you are on the topic.
"There's plenty of GAA players around the country that struggle with addiction let's hope they don't get offended by your remarks."
The former Laois star then got the final word in saying: "I'm sure they all won't, addicts are not all as sensitive and as easily offended by words as others are for them."
Paul Kehoe has since stood over his initial comments during an interview with South East Radio despite stating that 'the PC brigade' have been up in arms about it.
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