Shane Lowry finally addresses 'touchy' subject: "I'm not going to sit here and talk too much about it"
Shane Lowry decided to address ending his ties with insulation firm Kingspan 24 hours before the Irish Open begins at Royal County Down.
PGA Tour golfer and European Ryder Cup star Shane Lowry says his 'heart goes out' to those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
Lowry made the comment days after he severed his ties with Kingspan.
The insulation company was criticised throughout the public inquiry into the 2017 blaze.
Lowry ended his partnership with the firm on Tuesday, a week after the final report was published into the fire in which 72 people perished in west London.
The report exempted the firm from responsibility for the spread of the fire, but found that Kignspan used 'dishonest strategies' and had shown a 'complete disregard' for fire safety.
The 37-year-old former Open champion said he wasn't going to comment further on the matter after releasing a short statement earlier in the week.
But he was pressed by reporters ahead of this week's Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.
Lowry was asked by one scribe if he wished he made the decision 'sooner'.
The golfer had been under pressure for years from campaigners to part ways with his sponsor.
Grenfell United spokesperson Ed Daffard previously told the Irish Times the group had written to Lowry for years but received no response.
"I'm not going to sit here and talk too much about it," Lowry said on Thursday.
"It's obviously a touchy subject and my heart goes out to them."
Lowry's decision was met with scorn from the aforementioned Duffy.
He told the Guardian this week: "We first presented Shane Lowry with the Inquiry's evidence three years ago, so we are pleased he has made the right decision to cut ties with Kingspan.
"We now call on all other sports professionals to follow suit and play their part to create a legacy for the 72 innocent lives that were cut short at Grenfell."
Lowry set for 2019 Irish Open
Lowry has been handed a 12.40pm BST tee time in Thursday's opening round at Royal County Down.
He is playing alongside Robert MacIntyre and Ryan Fox.
Lowry famously triumphed at the 2009 Irish Open whilst competing as an amateur.
He defeated Robert Rock in a three-hole playoff at County Louth Golf Club when he was 22 years old.
Lowry is joined in the field by Rory McIlroy who will be playing the first two rounds alongside Tom McKibbin and defending champion Vincent Norrman.
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