The Westmeath-born chairman of Manhattan's St Patrick's Day parade has rejected an attempt by the first openly gay leader of New York's city council to have gay groups included in this year's parade.
John Dunleavy also accused Senator Hillary Clinton of marching in the parade this year to gain political credibility and accused the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organisation of "dirty pool tactics" while seeking inclusion in the parade.
Mr Dunleavy strongly rejected an attempt by city council speaker Christine Quinn to broker a deal that would allow gay groups to walk with more than 150,000 people who are expected to march in the Manhattan parade tomorrow.
He said Ms Quinn and Senator Clinton never bothered with the parade when they were not vote hunting. "I haven't heard anything from [ Senator Clinton] since the last time she marched, which was years ago. There has been no communication with her office to say thank you, kiss my rear end or goodbye," he said.
Mr Dunleavy accused Ms Quinn of using the parade to gain publicity for gay groups and said she was welcome to march as leader of the city council but not as part of a gay group.
Senator Clinton strongly rejected Mr Dunleavy's claims that she only attends the parade when she is seeking election. Her spokeswoman, Jennifer Hanley, said Ms Clinton had marched in 2002 and had attended St Patrick's Day events around New York state in 2003. In 2004, she was in Washington to attend St Patrick's Day events and meet with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
She had to stay in Washington last year because the Senate was in session, Ms Hanley added.