CONTEXT IS EVERY FING

Lowry: Two fingers 'not meant to cause offence' | Murphy will not resign position as Ceann Comhairle | Government to counter a motion of no confidence

- BY LOUISE BURNE

MICHAEL Lowry has said the two-finger gesture he made in the Dail has been "taken out of context".

He issued the statement yesterday shortly after Taoiseach Micheal Martin told the Dail he believed Deputy Lowry should apologise.

There were furious scenes in the chamber as the Government's proposal to facilitate the ability for Mr Lowry and other independent TDs who were involved in Government formation talks was voted through.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy filmed the chamber after the Dail was suspended and turned the camera on Michael Lowry.

Mr Lowry then stuck two fingers up at him, while Dublin Bay North Independent TD Barry Heneghan waved at the camera. Mr Lowry told this newspaper he was beckoning Mr Murphy over to him in response to the alleged abuse.

INTENT

In a statement, Mr Lowry said he "regrets" if his gesture caused offence. He said: 'The gesture I made in the Dail yesterday was not made with malicious intent.

"I made an errant gesture under provocation. Unfortunately, the gesture has been taken out of context.

"Unlike others, I have always respected the rules and values of the Dail.

"My gesture was not intended to be offensive or to cause any offence, and I regret that it may have been seen in such a way."

Responding to Mr Lowry's statement, Paul Murphy rejected his contention that the gesture directed towards him had been "taken out of context".

"People can watch the video for themselves and make their own judgment," he told this newspaper.