INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
said the comment to supporters happened in "the excitement of the night".He called getting elected on Sunday a "very emotional day" but
insisted the comment was about the past - not the future.A clip of his comments was posted on social media on Monday, after Sinn Fein's
breakthrough election performance saw them win the most first-preference votes in Ireland's general election."Up the Republic, Up the Ra
and a united Ireland.Afterwards, he admitted: "Obviously we were very excited and very proud of the vote we got in Waterford.Image:Sinn Fein
leader Mary Lou McDonald said of her MPs: 'I'm not their mammy'"The 30-second clip was part of a broader and longer speech that I gave where
I was reflecting back on the hunger strikes, reflecting back on the fact that [IRA hunger striker] Kevin Lynch stood in the Waterford
constituency back in 1981."He was someone that inspired me and inspired many republicans, the comments were made in that context."I know
some people will think the comments were about the here and the now and the future, they weren't."It was reflecting back on that time in
Irish history that I'm proud of and those hunger strikers and it was I suppose part of the excitement of the night when we were celebrating
that victory."My comments were about the past, they were not about the future, the IRA is gone as everybody knows."Mr Cullinane added: "I
don't feel I have to apologise for reflecting back on that time period"I certainly don't set out to offend anyone, that's not my
style."I'm very proud of that republican legacy."Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said: "I've asked everybody not to be making throwaway
comments or comments that can be misconstrued or distract us from the work ahead and I know that certainly that's what happened in David's
case."Asked whether she has appealed to Sinn Fein TDs not to make any "throwaway comments", Mrs McDonald added: "I'm not their mammy and I
don't censor them either."We're all adults and I do expect people to behave in an adult way and to cooperate with their dear leader and not
