Northern Ireland

Lord Kilclooney remarks about Jody Keenan described as 'reprehensible'

Lord Kilclooney has been criticised for his remarks on Twitter
Lord Kilclooney has been criticised for his remarks on Twitter Lord Kilclooney has been criticised for his remarks on Twitter

 PEER has defended his remarks about Jody Keenan’s death. Lord Kilclooney, formerly John Taylor, said on Twitter “I hope there was no drugs or alcohol involved”, while also questioning why she was “out at such a time”.

The former UUP deputy leader, pictured, wrote: “It was tragic that a young girl died after 3am in Newry because of the non availability of an ambulance.

“There needs to be a full enquiry. Including why is a young lady out at such a time; why did she fall; I hope there was no drugs or alcohol involved.”

Jarlath Burns, principal of St Paul’s High School where Ms Keenan worked, said: “There are so many aspects to his Twitter post that are so reprehensible.

“When I read the remarks by Lord Kilclooney which might have suggested some other reason why Jody might have fell at night when she was socialising, I felt the need to clarify. I contacted our board of governors as I knew I had to speak up for Jody.

“Last May Jody had a tumour removed from her spine and she suffered from hydrocephalus which is a build-up of fluid on the brain. This would have meant that she had to wear a shunt and I know she had been having difficulties with that in recent times.

“It is sad that we are having to reveal her personal health issues but I want to stand up for her. “It is incredible, in this modern world we live in, that someone would make these comments, to question why she was out at that time. It is almost above objectification.”

Last night Lord Kilclooney told The Irish News “the tweet was clearly misunderstood” and he was “in no way suggesting her death was linked to drink or drugs”.

“I was highlighting my concerns in society about the prevalence of drugs and alcohol. We’ve had too many people who are tragically dying through drugs and alcohol,” he said.