Martin Cullen spoke at a seminar on defamation today.  He likened his  experience of press intrusion [and false allegations about a relationship with adviser Monica Leech] with rape.

Minister Cullen said that he used the word ‘very carefully’ going on to say that he went to bed at night fearing ‘waking up every day and being raped’.

The Tallyman is worried that this remark will be taken out of context and detract from the Ministers comments.

Boo hoo.

It was a crass and extremely hurtful remark. I’m sure the Minister and his family suffered significant distress during the period but surely he could have found another situation to provide comparison.

There is no comparison between rape and the effects of press intrusion. Especially as the Minister himself handled the situation very badly in terms of managing the response.