Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones, the author of 'Joe McDonnell', appeared on Liveline today to say he couldn't understand the fuss around John Delaney singing his song.
Warfield fired a volley at the Irish Times which he labelled anti-Irish, attacking Fintan O'Toole (inevitably) and 'this guy Malone' (meaning Emmet). Duffy stepped in to defend Malone.
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Back in 2002, Warfield and the two other remaining Wolfe Tones members appeared in a Late Late Show debate with Fintan O'Toole, who strongly criticised them for the pro-IRA attitude inherent in their songs and their refusal to acknowledge this.
Delaney and his singing took a back-seat in the discussion once Warfield was assailed by Tom Carew, formerly of the Irish-Israeli friendship League, and ardent opponent of the IRA during the Troubles.
Earlier in the show, Davy Keogh appeared on, also defending Delaney and his girlfriend.
It's terrible on the girl. Joe. She probably doesn't know anything about football.