Leinster and Ireland prop Cian Healy isn't exactly averse to the odd Twitter controversy.
Last night, the 28-year-old made reference to the Repeal The 8th mural at the Project Theatre in Temple Bar. The artwork - a red love heart containing the text 'Repeal The 8th' - was covered over in blue paint on Monday after the theatre was advised by Dublin City Council that it breached planning laws. Many campaigners were left appalled that this mural in particular was erased in an area brimful of similar, non-political murals, and subsequently took pictures in front of the freshly-painted, plain blue wall to voice their discontent.
On seeing the trend, Healy said:
Ya ain't alternative unless you're in front of a blue wall these days ??
He was subsequently slammed by an unsurprisingly large number of people on social media who perceived the tweet to be a barb at the Repeal The 8th campaign.
I really hope this isn't about what I think it's about. But I suspect it is, which is a great pity. Awful stance to take.
— Brian Nisbet (@natural20) July 26, 2016
Hey @ProperChurch 'a prop with a dream to play centre'? Well replace 'prop' with 'woman' and 'play centre' with 'have basic human rights'.
— David Donohoe (@dvddnh) July 26, 2016
Are you actually being serious right now? This is so disheartening and upsetting. Thought you were better than this 🤔
— Rebeccah Louise (@RebeccahLouise) July 26, 2016
too many knocks to the head or just ignorance? Disappointing #repealthe8th
— Sheena (@sheena4one) July 26, 2016
This morning, Healy did indeed cite ignorance as the reason behind the tweet, which on seeing the criticism levelled at him he subsequently deleted.
The 58-cap Irish international claimed he wasn't making a political statement and instead was unaware of the significance of the blue wall, or what it had replaced.
Sorry for any offence caused. no political slamming on my part, nor none intended. But cheers for your lovely messages 👍
— Cian Healy (@ProperChurch) July 27, 2016
Ignorance on my part to what the "blue wall" was. Merely reacted to seeing it all over my timeline.
— Cian Healy (@ProperChurch) July 27, 2016
The response to the Clontarf man's plea of ignorance was, eh, decidedly mixed:
Ignorance is bliss but it's not an excuse... #eejit
— Lydia Bigley (@lydiabigley) July 27, 2016
Good of you to apologise. I kind of got the feeling it wouldn't be something you were overly opposed to.
— Seán Marum (@SeanMarum) July 27, 2016
Last year, Healy came under similar fire after a tweet involving a Kesha gig during Gay Pride in Hollywood. He was, however, a vocal supporter of the 'Yes' vote in the Marriage Equality Referendum.
