Tommy Marren apologises for reading homophobic text

Tommy Marren apologises after homophobic text read out live


Well-known Mid West Radio presenter Tommy Marren has apologised after reading out a homophobic text message live on air on his morning show on Wednesday morning last.
The text called out for the ‘stamping out of homosexuality altogether’ and also spoke of the ‘bizarre sexual lifestyle’ led by gay people and most offensively of all that ‘if children were to live with such people they could easily pick up AIDS’. Mr Marren did not counteract any of the comments in the text after reading the message.
The text message prompted a furious reaction on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter and on Thursday morning Tommy Marren began his show by issuing an unreserved apology and later sent out a statement.
“Having an unblemished track-record of over 20 years in current-affairs broadcasting on Mid West Radio I hold my hands up and openly admit I got this very wrong. I can only state the truth which is that this was human error – no more and no less. I did not read the text message before airing it which was the first error of judgement and the second error was not counteracting the ludicrous sentiments expressed in it,” he said.
“I am extremely sorry for any hurt the broadcast of the text has caused listeners of all persuasions and fully acknowledge that it should not have happened. In apologising to listeners this morning I also spoke to a member of the gay community and conducted a lively debate about the stigmas and difficulties that the gay community in Ireland still face.
“Having dealt with the subject on hundreds of occasions over the years I would hope that I have always treated the subject with impartiality and balance but on this occasion I completely misjudged the content of the points raised by the listener and should have dealt with it in a more professional manner.
“In conclusion, I hope that those with an interest in the topic will accept my apology and be assured that neither I personally, nor Mid West Radio, intended to cause any hurt to any member of the gay community,” he concluded.