CAIRNS' HORROR AT TD'S BLACKFACE PIC

Hayes 'sorry' as SD chief tells of anger

- BY CILLIAN SHERLOCK

SOCIAL Democrats leader Holly Cairns said her party "abhors all kinds of racism" after its TD Eoin Hayes admitted wearing "blackface" makeup as part of a Barack Obama costume.

Mr Hayes has apologised for wearing the makeup on his face and hands during a Halloween party 16 years ago.

Images were published in the Irish Daily Mail yesterday on the morning of the Social Democrats' annual parliamentary party think-in, being held in Dublin.

Ms Cairns said the party would need to "think about" the incident when it meets.