By Emma Jane Cooke
If I had a nickel for every time Eoin Hayes obliterated his career, I’d have two nickels, which is not a lot but it’s strange that it’s happened twice.
The Social Democrat TD has pulled a double whammy which could not have come at a worse time for Holly Cairns who just returned to work after maternity leave just to take care of a manchild.
Hayes returned to the party mid-way through this year after his suspension. Suspension? Well of course he was only suspended for his association with Palantir, a tech company that has contracts with Israel. The controversy and backlash at the time was not handled well by Hayes who misinformed the public about the company and his role with them, later having to actually tell the truth.
In an article from RTÉ, he is quoted saying “I know I have let people down and I am determined to work hard and earn back people’s trust.” WRONG. It only took Hayes two months after this article to absolutely humiliate the Social Democrats where the mother of not only a newborn but the mother of the party had to come to the rescue.
The Irish Times published photos of Eoin Hayes during his college days in UCC wearing blackface. It is apparent that Hayes was aware that the publication would be posting these photos the next day, I’m sure the man had the Sunday Scaries like no other that night.
His response to these photos where he is dressed as Barack Obama have become widespread across social media and various publications. His response was that he admired Barack Obama and went on to work for his presidential campaign in 2012. The Social Democrat party have decided that he will not face a second suspension because it is much more degrading and humiliating for him to continue within the public eye.
Although Hayes will continue as TD, there is no denying that it will be extremely difficult for anyone to take him seriously. Users are saying Hayes should be replaced by The Traitors Star, Paudie Moloney who consistently fell under the radar as a traitor on the show, or maybe Eoin Hayes should take a swing at the reality game show, he’d fit right in!