A Traveller comedian has come to the defence of Dermot Kennedy after the popstar apologised for using the word k*****r in an interview.
The comments, which emerged on social media via a clip on Irish slang, caused a major backlash, with Traveller activists calling for the Giants singer to apologise. Dr Rosaleen McDonagh and human rights activist Rose Marie Maughan were both critical of Dermot's use of the offensive term.
He said in the clip: "If you call somebody a k*****r that's really bad, really bad, because the k*****r is - to the best of my knowledge - like a horse in the yard that is like dying," he said.
"But it's like a classic thing, like if you were sitting at a table and someone took your food, you'd be like: 'Ah, ya k*****r'."
Read more: Dermot Kennedy apologises to Irish Traveller community after controversial interview
But comedian Martin 'Beanz' Warde took to Twitter to slam the "reactionary" response to the controversial comments. He said: "I kept out of the whole Dermot Kennedy thing because I knew without question he meant no harm.
"I was asked on to radio today to speak about it and I refused. This reactionary stuff around minor misunderstandings does zero to help bring society together. It has me knackered."
Mr Warde's sentiment was supported by Traveller Senator Eilieen Flynn who had sent a letter to Dermot on the issue. She said: "Same as that, 100%. I spoke on radio today and wrote him a letter."
A TV presenter previously used the term "knackered" while interviewing Martin on live television. The presenter apologised for the mistake and they laughed it off.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the singer said: "I would like to apologise to the Irish Traveller Community for any offence caused when discussing Irish slang in a recent interview.
"I was not referring to anyone specific, and I never mean to cause harm with the words I say, so I am sorry for any distress I've caused."
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