- Music
- 12 Feb 16
Needle from Micheál Martin seemed to very nearly cause the Sinn Fein leader to say something he probably shouldn't
When watching last nights leaders debate on TV3, you may have noticed Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin get right under Gerry Adams skin on matters of security and the North.
As Martin pushed Adams more and more, mention of disappearances and knee-cappings seemed to push the Sinn Fein leader to the very brink of saying something he probably shouldn't have. Of course we're jumping ahead and making presumptions here - though the unmistakeable 'ffff' sound on Adams' lips was unlikely to end with '...air point, well made'.
Watching the heated debate - and seeing Adams get a little hot under the collar - had us thinking of some other situations in which politicians have lost the run of themselves. From Paul Gogarty's infamous outburst towards Emmet Stagg to chaos in the Ukrainian chamber, we've picked a few of our favourites for your enjoyment below.Paul Gogarty uses some "unparliamentary language" - as he so eloquently put it himself - in an outburst directed at Emmet Stagg.
Ukraine's parliament has had its fair share of violence over the years but this one is a real doozy. A member of the opposition party heads over and actually picks up the Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk - a mass brawl quickly ensues.
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This is one you wouldn't think happens too often. In September of last year a brawl broke out in Japanese parliament just before a controversial vote was about to take place. This is the part that makes the whole thing even more strange - the vote was over an issue with the Japanese armed forces' pacifism.
Politicians have to put up with a lot from members of the public because of the unpopular decisions they make; it's for this reason that they must also be able to grin and bear the criticism. John Prescott, however doesn't seem to take criticism too well - after getting an egg smashed over his shoulder he displays his boxing skills on a member of the public.
This is from a couple of years ago in Georgia when two party rivals clash on national television. Something to note here is that Sergo Ration, who first throws the pen followed by the first punch, is from Georgian Dream - the current leading party in Georgia. This happened shortly after they won the 2012 election...though we don't recommend following his lead.