RTE Claire Byrne Live viewers praised Monday night’s programme after Claire welcomed many members of the Travelling community onto the show to speak about the discrimination they have faced throughout their life.
Issues affecting Travellers were highlighted throughout the programme as people spoke of how they have been unable to obtain equal opportunities because of who they are.
Boxing legend Billy Walsh also appeared on the show to speak about his experience coaching Traveller boxers over the years and what needs to change in Irish society.
He said: “I think we all need to look at ourselves first in the mirror and figure out who we are because you know we are all gods children we’re all on this earth and we’re all on this country together trying to live and cohabit and no matter what colour, race, creed we are it should not make any difference.
“Except everybody for who they are. Be as friendly and as kind to someone as you can, and then it will be a far better place to live in.”
People took to Twitter after the show to share their thoughts.
One said: “ Wonderful to see the Travelling community and culture along with their values being explained on @ClaireByrneLive via the wonderful guests. Peoples lived experienced should be heard to minimise bias #ClaireByrneLive”.
A second said: “Settled people I know who flippantly use discriminatory language against Travellers and laugh along at accepted racist comments should be watching #cblive hanging their heads in shame tonight. #FightRacism”.
While a third commented: “Travellers are people just like the rest of Irish society, they should be treated with the same respect that the settled community get.”
However, it was not all positive feedback for the show as some viewers pointed out that the comments being made on Twitter were a stark example of what is wrong in Irish society as trolls used the platform to insult the Travelling community further.
One viewer pointed out: “One look at Twitter & quite a few of the comments about the Travellers are absolutely disgusting. Generalising an entire community is not right, they are decent people & deserve respect!”
Another wrote: “Well done #cblive - public service broadcasting at its best tonight no matter what the anonymous, bigoted trolls may think.”
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