Singer Dermot Kennedy has apologised for using a racial slur during an interview after he was slammed by Traveller rights activists for using the term "knackered" as an example of Irish slang.
Kennedy was recently asked during an interview in Toronto to explain some Irish slang examples, telling the interviewer that the term "knackered" was used to express tiredness.
"If you call somebody a kn*cker that's really bad, really bad, because the kn*cker 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 kn*cker'."
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Following the comment, the Giants songwriter was blasted online by many including Traveller activist Dr Rosaleen McDonagh and human rights activist Rose Marie Maughan, with the public calling for him to apologise.
However, on Tuesday, Kennedy posted a story on his Instagram story apologising for any offence caused by using the term.
He posted: "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."
Following the apology, Rose Marie Maughan posted on Twitter : “Thank you, Dermot Kennedy, for listening to our hurt and apologising. We will see you at a gig no doubt!”
Rose Marie, a well know human rights activist had previously called for the singer to apologise: "Irish society has grown so much in terms of not using racist terms due to the impact they have on marginalised communities, yet the 'K term' is used daily regardless how many times Irish Travellers express our pain.
"He must now do the right thing and apologise to us, and in the future use his platform as an ally to us - calling for the end of the last accepted racism in Ireland."
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