RTE broadcaster David McCullagh is being praised after his "outstanding" interview of the Russian Ambassador to Ireland.
The Six One News presenter spoke to Yury Filatov on the second day of conflict in Ukraine as Russian troops marched on the capital Kyiv.
The interview started with the news anchor asking the ambassador when Russia would stop its aggression against Ukraine.
Mr Filatov said it was an "emotional issue" and a "humanitarian crisis", which was challenged by McCullagh as he said it was "a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine"
The journalist said the ambassador was giving the "Russian version of events" which are "misleading", and challenged Mr Filatov once again when he claimed his country didn't want to pursue military action.
During the interview, where McCullagh sought to fact check many of the Russian representative's claims, he also asked "why our government entertain your presence here when you're acting as an apologist for slaughter?".
It comes as opposition parties have called for the Russian Ambassador to Ireland to be expelled, with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar earlier not ruling the move out.
Mr Filatov responded: "It is a good question. You might ask your government. It's up to them. I can leave any time."
The interview concluded with a sign-off by McCullagh which was later hailed by people watching at home as "the best in RTE's 60-year history".
He concluded: "Yury Filatov, Ambassador of Russia to Ireland, for the moment at least."
McCullagh has since gone viral as thousands of people reacted to his grilling of Mr Filatov and for taking no nonsense during the interview.
One person said: "David McCullagh letting the Russian Ambassador have it!"
A second said: "David McCullagh has no time for the Russian Ambassador’s bulls**t on Six One and it is outstanding!"
A third wrote: "David McCullagh having a stormer on RTE's Six One, tearing through the Russian ambassador to Ireland and his attempts at BS and waffle....well done @mcculld."
A fourth commented: "If only David McCullagh could give Putin a grilling like he gave the Russian ambassador. Lies lies and catching flies. Well done @mcculld #rtenews. Hard to keep calm listening to his bull."
Another viewer said: "David McCullagh @mccullad has gone up one million percent in my estimation there tbh, gave that Russian ambassador what he deserved for being an apologist for the slaughter of Ukrainian citizens."
Someone else stated: "That was a masterful interview by David McCullagh."
One social media user wrote: "Fair play to David McCullagh, absolutely creased the Russian ambassador on Six One."
A second added: "The Russian ambassador to Ireland is been giving a severe grilling on the @rtenews right now. His struggling badly. It’s a car crash interview by him. David McCullagh just called him an apologist for slaughter. Well done @mcculld."
A third commented: "David McCullagh just gave the Russian ambassador for Ireland some grilling there live on #RTE news. Taking no s**t."
While another chimed in: "Don't think Russian Ambassador will be in a hurry to go back on RTE News. Bizzare statements from him. Impossible position I know but he was hopeless. Well done David McCullagh."
