by wholesome instinct". An unsuccessful attempt was made by a Travellers Rights Group to initiate a prosecution under the Incitement to Hatred Act. Paralympics article In 2000 Synon criticised the Paralympics in Sydney. In the article, she wrote: "It is time to suggest that these so-called Paralympics ... are – well, one hesitates to say 'grotesque'. One will only say 'perverse' ... Surely physical competition is about finding the best – the fastest, strongest, highest, all that. It is not about finding someone who can wobble his way around a track in a wheelchair, or who can swim from one end of a pool to the other by Braille." She advised the disabled and blind to "play to your competitive advantage" and added: "In other words, Stephen Hawking shows his wisdom by staying out of the three-legged race." The article, which was criticised by the National Union of Journalists, was subsequently discussed in the Irish Senate where Maurice Hayes, a senator, director of Independent News & Media, which owns the Sunday Independent, and acquaintance of the controlling shareholder, said it was indefensible, indecent and hurtful: "It should not have been written and if written, it should not have been published. I know that my views are shared by my colleagues on the Independent board and in particular by the chairman." The chairman, Tony O'Reilly, and his son, Gavin O'Reilly were both attributed opinions in the matter. As a result of the controversy, Synon left the newspaper. References 1951 births Place of birth missing (living people) Living people American columnists American women columnists American women journalists Daily Mail journalists The Daily Telegraph people Irish columnists Irish women journalists Irish Independent people Sunday Independent (Ireland) people Sunday Tribune people The Irish Times people Business Post people Irish women columnists Alumni of Trinity College Dublin 60 Minutes producers