I don’t think it’s quite fair that Youth Defence gets so much of the blame or that they spoiled the party for those who would, publicly at least, hold their nose at some of the tactics. If anything the Mhic Mathúnas have been far more dynamic then their middle class peers in the PLC. The “bearers of truth” is a good angle though and probably one of their biggest handicaps given just how transparent the dishonesty is in 2013.
Away from the ‘representative of society’ bit you could also follow backroom’s last point though to the success they are having in alienating Fine Gael TDs not least the Taoiseach. Many wear their reaction with pride every other day of the week so a lot of attacks must be deep. You can see so much goodwill being lost and all the same faces will be back for equal marriage in a few months.