Dermot Kennedy stressed that he was “not referring to anyone specific”
Dermot Kennedy has issued an apology to the Irish Traveller community after he used an offensive term in a recent interview.
During an interview with the Canadian musical channel Much, Kennedy used a derogatory term when discussing Irish slang.
The videos have since been deleted, but a group representing the Irish Travelling community has demanded an apology from the 31-year-old.
In the video, Kennedy was asked to explain common Irish slang, in which he used the word “knackered”, an expression used to express tiredness. He caveated that the shortened word was a “bad” term.
The singer issued a short statement on Instagram this evening. He wrote:
“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,” he stressed.
Dermot Kennedy comment highlighted and criticised on social media
The singer’s apology comes after he was called out on Twitter by Dr. John Gilmore.
He said the singer’s remarks made him feel “so angry and nauseous”.
“Dermot Kennedy, reflect a bit on how this might make Travellers who have this term flung at them every day might feel to hear you saying this.”
Kennedy wrapped up his successful North American tour in New Jersey on Tuesday night and thanked all those that had attended his gigs. ‘I feel changed,’ he stated. ‘These shows have meant everything to me, and I like to believe I left every little piece of me out on those stages.
‘Thank you so much for coming out to these shows, in these venues I’ve dreamed of playing. You keep me going. Your support and your love has been so easy to feel on this tour.’
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