Phil Lynott with Thin Lizzy at Chateau Neuf, Oslo, Norway (22 April 1980).
Image: Helge Øverås

Hot Press reports that Phil Lynott‘s mother, Philomena, has “reacted strongly” to the use of Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town” in Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign.

Romney’s vice-Presidential running mate, Paul Ryan, used the music when he arrived on stage during the Republican National Convention in Florida last week.

Philomena Lynott told the magazine that her son would be opposed to the Republicans’ stance on wealth and equality.

Speaking in relation to LGBT rights, Lynott said:

I am really upset at Philip’s music being used in Mitt Romney’s campaign in a political way that Philip would not have approved of.

As far as I am concerned, Mitt Romney’s opposition to gay marriage and to civil unions for gays makes him anti-gay – which is not something that Philip would have supported. He had some wonderful gay friends, as indeed I do, and they deserve equal treatment in every respect, whether in Ireland or the United States.

She added that there is nothing she can do to prevent this use of Thin Lizzy’s music, “but I do want to be clear that I would not want Philip’s music to be used in any way that could hurt a single person, and this is the effect of what happened with Paul Ryan using and abusing my son’s music in that way.”

You can read the full article in Hot Press here.

Phil Lynott passed away on 4th January 1986, at the age of 36. In 2005, a life-size commemorative bronze statue of Phil Lynott was unveiled on Harry Street, off Grafton Street in Dublin. His life and music is celebrated at the annual Vibe for Philo. The 26th Vibe for Philo is due to return in 2013 from 3rd-5th January.