RTE viewers were left ‘fascinated’ after an interview with reformed neo-Nazi who appeared as a guest on the Tommy Tiernan Show on Saturday night.
Activist and author Matthew Collins told the RTE presenter how as a teenager in London, he was a member of neo-Nazi group but said he turned his life around after a took part in a violent attack on women holding a public meeting on racism.
He appeared on the chat show to share his redemption story and how he switched sides and started giving information to the police - which made him a marked man.
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Now, the former fascist is head of intelligence for the anti-fascist campaign group Hope Not Hate and has written three books on his experience with the far-right.
RTE viewers were shocked by Matthew's story but many saw it as a "fascinating insight" into how someone becomes radicalised and others said it was an "incredibly important conversation".
One person wrote on Twitter: "Wow. Fascinating insight about becoming radicalised in to becoming a reactionary, hate-fuelled fascist, and also the process around becoming deradicalised in this conversation with@Tommedian. Very relevant in today's society. #tommytiernanshow"
Another said: "Incredibly on topic guest, a reformed Neo Nazi. Proof that the recent right wing protests left uncalled out would end up in violence without a shadow of a doubt. #tommytiernanshow
This is an incredibly important conversation. Yes he's done appalling stuff when he was a misguided racist/fascist, but it's important the work he now does to destroy fascism #tommytiernanshow
However, some disagreed that he should have been on the show, with one writing: "Gosh this is a difficult watch #tommytiernanshow".
Another said: “This is not the platform for this [in my opinion] #tommytiernanshow”
However one person rebutted, saying: “Why? It’s uncomfortable and thought provoking. Sometimes the best TV is #tommytiernanshow”
Another wrote: "People saying this chap shouldn’t be on here telling his story…of course he should be allowed tell his story, these stories need to be told whether you like it or not #tommytiernanshow"
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