The Tommy Tiernan Show is an RTÉ talk show like no other.
Where other shows can skirt the difficult issues and stick to the status quo, Tiernan isn’t afraid to get underneath the skin of his guests in a way that is both insightful and empathetic.
The comedian-turned-interviewer was on top form once again on Saturday night as he was joined by a priest, Father Brian D’Arcy, who spoke out about his own abuse at the hands of the Catholic church.
Speaking about his experience, D’Arcy said: “It gave me the courage to speak truth to power… I’m sure if I hadn’t had to survive abuse, I wouldn’t have had the same conviction when I was speaking.
“And I can say to anybody now, to the Pope or anybody else: any institution that puts the good name of the institution ahead of the vulnerability of a child deserves no respect.”
D’Arcy got a round of applause for the stunning takedown.
You can watch a clip of that moment below, or see the whole episode on RTÉ Player.
"It gave me the courage to speak truth to power"@FrBrianDarcy on the courage he found after surviving abuse.#TommyTiernan pic.twitter.com/1CEAWmLXSH
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) June 15, 2019
D’Arcy has been vocal on the issue of child abuse in the past, and has been censured by the Vatican for his claims that the Catholic church has hidden from responsibility when it comes to abuse.
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