
The newspaper column took issue with the appearance of some Fianna Fáil politicians.
Abuse goes with the territory, but it's a thinning line for many.
That's Barry Cowen's response to a newspaper column criticising the appearance of some Fianna Fáil politicians.
It's since been widely condemned and described as "derogatory", "nasty" and "disgraceful".
In a tweet, the Laois-Offaly TD - who as named checked in the column - says "articles like this don't help the cause of increasing [female] participation" in politics.
Politicians put themselves out there, thankless job sometimes,abuse unfortunately goes with the territory. I tolerate it but it’s a thinning line for many.We all know there is not enough women in politics. Articles like this don’t help the cause of increasing their participation pic.twitter.com/hgrUHgYnJK
— Barry Cowen (@CowenBarry) September 12, 2021