Hollywood star Colin Farrell has launched a passionate plea for Ireland to vote in favour of gay marriage.
The Phone Booth actor says it is his “coming out” – and believes it is necessary for the country.
He said: “I carry Ireland with me everywhere I go, and I love my country deeply.
Brotherly love: Eamon Farrell and husband Steven | VIPIRELAND.COM
“This is my coming out of the closet as it were publicly and saying that I support this vote with every fibre of my being.”
The Dubliner has first hand experience of same-sex relationships through his brother Eamon, who is gay, being by his side when he married Steven Mannion in Canada.
And Colin told Claire Byrne Live that people who have concerns about same-sex couples becoming parents should look at heterosexual parents.
He added: “It’s too easy for heterosexuals to be parents, if you want the truth. It’s too easy.
Chat: Colin speaks to Claire Byrne | RTE
“There are too many of us who find it too easy to have a kid. Too many parents around the world don’t parent their kids, because it was a five minute thing and there it is.
“We’re talking about Irish society, being the best version in any referendum, divorce, same sex marriage, being the best version of ourselves that we can be.”
Speaking tonight, Colin says it is “amazing” to see his brother Eamon live his life as a married man – but feels it is “grossly unfair” he couldn’t do it in Ireland.
He said: “To see them every day live their lives as a happily married couple is an amazing thing, and to think that they had to leave their own country to do that, is sad and disappointing and just grossly unfair I feel.”
Pals: Colin and Eamon after night at the pub | VIPIRELAND.COM
Colin also opens up on his memories of his brother Eamon growing up.
He said: “I remember him coming home with blood on his shirt, and he got plenty of beatings and he got just called names continuously.
“So he had a very very very tough time, a lot of cruelty, like real, absolute shameful cruelty that was placed upon him.”
