09/04/2013

Cricketer Apologies Over Thatcher Tweet

Irish cricketer John Mooney has apologised for comments he made regarding the death of Margaret Thatcher.

The Ireland all-rounder, who plays for club side North County, reportedly tweeted a message saying he hoped the former Prime Minister had died a "slow and painful" death.

Baroness Thatcher died on Monday following a series of strokes. She was 87.

31-year-old Mr Mooney used three tweets to articulate his apology.

He said: "I would like to apologise to anyone that I upset with my tweets yesterday regarding the death of Margaret Thatcher. I realise now that they were offensive to many and have deleted them.

"I’d like to assure my family, friends, employers and team mates that I have learned a very valuable lesson and in future will stick to focusing on my game!"

(IT/CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 April 2013
NI Reacts To Death Of Margaret Thatcher
Northern Ireland's politicians have been reacting to the news today that former UK Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher has died, aged 87. The first female British prime Minister in UK history, Lady Thatcher was elected in 1979 and served 11 years unbroken in office. She had been suffering from dementia and declining health for some years.
09 April 2013
McGuinness Opposes Thatcher Parties
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has taken to Twitter to encourage republicans not to celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher. News of the former UK Prime Minister's death sparked celebrations across the UK and Ireland, including in Bristol, Brixton, Glasgow, Belfast and L'Derry.
10 April 2013
UUP Refutes Thatcher Hunger Strike Death Claims
East Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has publicly condemned claims made by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams that Margaret Thatcher was responsible for the deaths of the 10 hunger strikers in 1981. Mr Adams made the claims in a statement following news of the death of the former UK Prime Minister.
16 April 2013
'Respect Thatcher Funeral' - Alliance Chief Whip
Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA has called on the public to respect the family of Margaret Thatcher ahead of her funeral at St Paul's Cathedral in London tomorrow. Mr Dickson said there should not be any public parties to celebrate the death of the frmer Prime Minister.
12 April 2013
DUP Call For Investigation Into Thatcher Parties
DUP North Down MLA Peter Weir has has written to Chief Constable Matt Baggot to ask that street 'celebrations' over the death of Margaret Thatcher be investigated. Celebrations have been seen in west Belfast and parts of L'Derry since the former UK Prime Minister passed away on Monday, following a series of short strokes. She was 87.