Ireland’s new “woke society” has been accused of lacking respect for “traditional Irish culture” by a Fianna Fáil Councillor in Cork.

Earlier this week, Cork City Council approved a motion to examine whether Bishop Lucey Park should be renamed citing, among other reasons, clerical abuse that took place during the former Bishop of Cork’s tenure.

Councillor Terry Shannon (FF) opposed the motion, calling it an imposition by “the liberal or radical left” of “a new kind of ‘woke society’”.

“These people, they talk about inclusivity and tolerance, but that doesn’t extend to traditional Irish cultures.”

The councillor asked if the park is to be renamed on the basis of failures of the Catholic Church – then what comes next: “Will we take down Fr Matthew off the plinth? Will we rename St Patrick’s Street?

“Will we take down the Papal Cross at the Phoenix Park? Will everyone called John Paul be asked to change their names?

“If we are being preached by these people about inclusivity, tolerance and we’re all in this together, shouldn’t they have a bit of tolerance for people who have what they might describe as traditional values?”, he said.