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Dublin Live

Sport

Laura Lyne

Kellie Harrington claims she was 'hung out to dry' during interview where she was questioned about view on immigrants

Kellie Harrington Eva Vlaardingerbroek Dublin Gold Olympics (Event) Spar

Dublin Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington claimed she was being "hung out to dry" during an interview earlier today where she was questioned about her view on immigrants.

She was being interviewed by Shane Hannon from Off The Ball when he asked about her tweet on immigrants from October that she deleted after a 12-year-old died in France. He had asked her if she still held the same views today as she did last year.

Back in 2022 Harrington said she "didn't need the hate" she claimed to receive after she retweeted a video from GB News which featured Dutch commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek speaking on the death. Vlaardingerbroek said in the clip: “I woke up this morning to see the news of another young European girl who was sacrificed on the altar of mass migration. We have four people in custody, all migrants coming from Algeria. This is the 12th girl I believe in France that has been killed this year by an immigrant and that’s just France.”

But during the interview earlier today Kellie refused to answer the question and accused Shane of wanting to stir up controversy. She responded: "I switched off there when you said diversity in the inner city, there's diversity all over Dublin. So I don't actually know what the rest of the question was there, sorry. So I feel right now at the moment that you're trying to hang me out to dry. So, for that, I'll say next question.

Shane quickly responded: "Not at all, the discussion just needs to be had."

Kellie continued: "That was a post in October, so I do feel like you are hanging me out to dry. You know me by now, and you know you're going to get the truth off me, and that's exactly the truth as it is as I'm sitting here now. I feel like you've brought that up to try and bring up a bit of controversy."

Shane said: "Certainly not, people would know it's not my style, it's not my style to court controversy. I genuinely just feel if anyone posts anything on social media or says something in an interview those are beliefs that are strongly held and thought out."

Kelly added: "That was in October. Like you said, that was in October, we're now nearly heading into April."

At that point a representative with Kelly intervened. On the video she said: "Hi Shane, just want to put there we've probably about five minutes left. Can we move on and go on to the next one."

Shane continued: "Yeah it was just-"

Kellie cut in, saying: "No I totally understand the question and you have to ask it and everything but it's probably best to move on from it. "

Shane said: "Is it not right that we have the discussion? I guess, Kellie, is my point."

A clearly frustrated Kellie said: "Is that where you want to waste time on though, do you know what I mean? Like, there's so many other questions that you could ask me. I'm not a politician."

Shane once again asked Kellie about the topic and explained why he had decided to ask the question. He said: "Why's it time wasting? You're an ambassador to young people and these are views that some people would see as controversial when it comes to immigrants. I would argue, personally, speaking personally, that welcoming immigrants into the country can add so much to the culture of Dublin."

Kellie responded: "That's what you would argue and that's fine."

Shane said: "But is that not fair?"

Kellie continued: "I'm not having that argument with you. I'm not even open to the discussion with you."

Her representative then said: "I think it's probably best guys to move on. We're here today for Spar and their media event that Kellie is an ambassador for so if you want to pop another question or two in and move on from it."

Shane added: "Yeah, and the Spar slogan - and I read it out at the start - is to back communities to drive positive change and impact. So, is it not a fair question then?"

Kellie then doubled down on her refusal to answer the question and and called Shane "like a dog with a bone". She then added a quote from Disney movie Frozen before cutting off the interview completely.

She said: "You're like a dog with a bone. Here we go, right. If you're not hanging me out to dry, let it go, move on. Be like Elsa and just let it go. Do you know what I mean? Don't hold it back anymore and just let it go. I know it's your job and you've asked and I've responded and I've told you. Next question. Like, I'm not here to answer those questions. I'm not here to talk about politics. If I wanted to do that, I'd go and I'd do a degree in politics. I don't know what agenda you have Shane but it's not a good one. Over and out, I'm done."

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