Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Sunday 24°CMonday 16°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
EntertainmentNews

Derry Girls star Tiernan ‘reported to police’ over show remarks about unionists

written by John March 12, 2019
ShareTweet

Tommy Tiernan who plays a downtrodden husband in the hit Channel 4 series Derry Girls

DERRY Girls star and comedian Tommy Tiernan is at the centre of a storm after a number of people walked out of one of his shows at the weekend in protest at what they claimed were his foul-mouthed rants about Northern Irish politics and religion.

The Donegal-born stand-up comic was said to have singled out British Secretary of State Karen Bradley and a number of unionists, including DUP leader Arlene Foster, for particular attention.

But other people who were at one of his shows said Tiernan took a pop at both sides of the political divide, not just unionists.

A Belfast DUP councillor said he was contacted by constituents in the audience who complained that they had been deeply offended by Tiernan’s “anti-unionist” remarks.

In a tweet, Councillor Dale Pankhurst said that he’d had “numerous calls from unionists who had to get up and leave the Tommy Tiernan concert (actor in Derry Girls) in the Ulster Hall due to comments made regarding contentious issues”.

He said he understood that some people had asked for a PSNI investigation to be started.

One concert-goer who didn’t want to be named said Tiernan used four letter words to describe a number of politicians.

“He really overstepped the mark. I’m slow to anger but setting aside what he said and who he said it about, it was his language which I found to be completely misjudged,” they said.

Tiernan, who plays a downtrodden father in Derry Girls, is known for his outspoken attacks on a wide range of individuals and organisations, including the Catholic Church, during his comedy routines.

On social media, a number of people said they had been surprised that Tiernan had included so much material on politics and religion in Belfast.

On Facebook, one man said in a message to the comedian: “Went to see the show last night at the Ulster Hall.

“Really disappointed in the political stuff. I didn’t think you done all that.

“Only made bearable by the fact the sound system was awful and we could hardly hear. We left half way through.”

Another poster said he had loved the Ulster Hall show on Sunday night but added that “it had been marred by a five minute political rant about the DUP and about East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson”.

He added: “Surely Tommy your own personal political views shouldn’t be turned into a political rally on stage?”

Tiernan had three sell-out shows in Belfast over the weekend, one in the Waterfront Hall and two in the Ulster Hall.

One person at the Friday night show in the Waterfront said there wasn’t anything overly offensive and he didn’t notice anyone walking out.

One online poster compared going to a Tiernan gig with attending a concert by the Wolfe Tones and being offended at hearing a rebel song.

Another said that Mr Pankhurst had ensured that Tiernan’s next few gigs would be sell-outs.

Tommy Tiernan’s management in Galway said it wouldn’t be making any comment on the claims about the Belfast shows.

Two years ago the BBC apologised for an “inappropriate” joke that Tiernan made in a Radio Foyle interview about Mrs Foster

* The second episode of series two of Derry Girls goes out on Channel 4 tonight, Tuesday, March 12, at 9.15 pm. Last week’s first episode of the new series hit 1.8 million viewers.

Derry Girls star Tiernan ‘reported to police’ over show remarks about unionists was last modified: March 13th, 2019 by John

Tags:
ARLENE FOSTERDERRY GIRLSDerry Girls star Tiernan 'reported to police' over show remarks about unionistsdupleaderTOMMY TIERNANWaterfront Hall
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

The LYCRA Company staff excited to continue...

1 day ago

Man arrested in Derry over murder bid...

2 days ago

Man to face Derry court over cannabis...

2 days ago

Man arrested in Derry after 120 cannabis...

3 days ago

Derry Labour Market Partnership celebrate success of...

3 days ago

Savour the best of the North West...

3 days ago

Bin collections and Recycling Centres operate as...

3 days ago

Finance Minister visits sites of Derry Strabane...

3 days ago

Durkan: We need to get serious about...

3 days ago

Police appeal over children playing in derelict...

3 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man to face Derry court over cannabis plants seizure

    July 11, 2025
  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy