Harvey Norman makes flippant remarks on Irish Genocide

[Cael]

RETAIL giant Harvey Norman has compared Ireland's economic downturn to the return of the "potato famine", writes Billy Cantwell.

Speaking at yesterday's annual meeting, chief executive Gerry Harvey described the performance of his 13 Irish stores as "catastrophic" and said he regretted expanding into the Irish market. But he added that the investment was too big to pull out now.

"In Ireland, we are down 25- 40pc like for like on last year. It's catastrophic," he told reporters.

"Ireland is a real worry. I've never seen something get belted like Ireland. In Slovenia, it's holding up quite well, Singapore's sales are quite good, Malaysia is good. New Zealand, like Australia, its not that bad, but Ireland. Phew, just imagine you opened in Ireland; you'd want to go and cut your throat. The potato famine, someone said, the return of the potato famine in Ireland."

He said the two newest stores, in Northern Ireland, were "a bad mistake".

"Take me back and let me hindsight them," he said.

The company's CEO Katie Page said: "It's a depressing time for a lot of people, certainly for the executive directors here; we are working so hard, we wish that Ireland wouldn't return to a potato famine."

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...n-1554688.html

[Cael]

This stupid git doesnt seem to realise that the Genocide he is flippently refering to murdered over a million people directy, and caused Ireland's population to be halved. I hope nobody goes to his shop at all after this

[MookieBaylock]

A "he" called Katie, Cael?

[corelli]

This stupid git doesnt seem to realise that the Genocide he is flippently refering to murdered over a million people directy, and caused Ireland's population to be halved. I hope nobody goes to his shop at all after this

Ach, don't be so touchy. Its merely a turn of phrase used to make a point to an audience who otherwise might realise the seriousness of the financial situation in which his Irish stores find themselves.

[PhoenixIreland]

This stupid git doesnt seem to realise that the Genocide he is flippently refering to murdered over a million people directy, and caused Ireland's population to be halved. I hope nobody goes to his shop at all after this

If anyone wants a job is Harneys crashing, dying, BUT RECRUITING business:

Harvey Norman jobs - Jobs.ie - Jobs in Ireland. Irish Jobs.


and take a trip to Africa you'll see what actual genocide is boys.

[Cael]

A "he" called Katie, Cael?

If you read the article you will see that both Havey and Katie made the same offensive remark. It must be something of a running joke in the office.

[seabhcan]

I've never shopped there. What do they sell? Potatoes?

[Cael]

There were a series of nine major "famines" between 1720 and 1860. The starvation of the early 1720s alone causing half a million deaths. This series of starvations were not caused by any international economic downturn, but by a genocidal British policy. Norman should stay away from refering to Irish history if he is so ignorant of it.

[seabhcan]

There were a series of nine major "famines" between 1720 and 1860. The starvation of the early 1720s alone causing half a million deaths. This series of starvations were not caused by any international economic downturn, but by a genocidal British policy. Norman should stay away from refering to Irish history if he is so ignorant of it.

I think you need to relax. The guy is a tool, and his business is a self-described failure in the Irish market. Who cares what he thinks.

What does he sell anyway?

[PhoenixIreland]

I think you need to relax. The guy is a tool, and his business is a self-described failure in the Irish market. Who cares what he thinks.

What does he sell anyway?

Thats the impression I get from listening to his ads anyway.
Clearly he gets high on his own supply.