Former Rose Of Tralee and Euro election candidate Maria Walsh admitted a boast about her shooting abilities was “flippant”.
The Fine Gael woman also accused her constituency colleague and sitting MEP Mairead McGuinness of trying to hoover up votes on her patch.
Ms Walsh said: “I have a crown and sash from the Rose Of Tralee in one hand and in the other hand my marksmanship is 37 out of 40 shots with a Steyr rifle.”
The reserve member of the defence forces added: “I’m not here to be pushed over.”
However, on Sunday, the Boston-born 31-year-old and gay rights activist admitted she was “not at all” proud of her comments.
She told RTE’s The Week In Politics: “I think that was a flippant comment that didn’t belong there.”
After being pressed on the topic, Ms Walsh said the comment was “factual”.
She added: “I did have a Steyr. I am a reserve defence forces [member], I’m a very proud reserve defence force [member] and I’m also a Rose Of Tralee. There is no grey areas there, that’s who I am.”
Ms Walsh, who in 2014 became the first lesbian winner of the Rose Of Tralee, lashed out at her colleague for canvassing within what she considered to be her territory in Midlands North West.
Before the pair were designated particular areas, Ms McGuinness is understood to have spoken at Ms Walsh’s former secondary school.
Former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh selected by Fine Gael to contest European elections
She told the Sunday Independent it was “disappointing” to see Ms McGuinness not sticking to her side of the constituency.
Ms McGuinness said she was fully supportive of the decision to split the region between her and her “very able running mate”.
She did not respond to the gun comment and was unavailable when attempts were made to contact her on Sunday.
