Motion calls for ads ban on paper

The South Eastern Health Board has passed a motion, calling for a ban on the board's advertising in the Sunday Independent

The South Eastern Health Board has passed a motion, calling for a ban on the board's advertising in the Sunday Independent. This follows publication of a column in the newspaper by Mary Ellen Synon in which she described the recent Paralympics in Australia as grotesque.

At yesterday's meeting she was condemned by Cllr John Coonan for the grossly offensive and discriminatory nature of her comments. He asked officials to stop advertising in the paper, and the call was supported by all members of the board.

The board's CEO, Mr John Cooney, said he had envisaged the call and had already written to Independent Newspapers, in conjunction with the CEOs of the State's other health boards. He said he would consider the proposed withdrawal of advertising when he met the newspaper's management.

Earlier this week members of Kilkenny Corporation voted unanimously to suspend advertising in the paper. They are to ask their colleagues on Kilkenny County Council to follow their example.