'This is Ireland so you can say whatever the f**k you want' - Patrick Kielty shares message of support for Jimmy Kimmel

""Tonight we're extending the hand of free speech and friendship to let you know that you're always welcome here. So if you ever need a studio or a desk or an audience or a band, we're here for you. And most importantly of all, Jimmy, this is Ireland, so we can promise you can say whatever the f**k you want,""

""Mr Kielty's message, posted on the Late Late Show's social media account after the show, addressed the controversy surrounding Mr Kimmel whose late night TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live! was taken off air "indefinitely" by television network ABC. It followed comments he made about the death of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week, though critics of the decision claim the company caved to threats from the Trump administration's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr, who pressured ABC to "take action" against Mr Kimmel.""

Patrick Kielty posted a message on the Late Late Show's social media offering Jimmy Kimmel a welcome and a platform in Dublin. Jimmy Kimmel Live! was taken off air "indefinitely" by ABC after Kimmel's comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Critics said ABC bowed to pressure from FCC chair Brendan Carr, who urged the network to "take action" or face "additional work." Kielty invited Kimmel to RTÉ's Studio 4, offering a studio, desk, audience and band, and promising that Kimmel could speak without restraint to applause from the Late Late audience. Kimmel's suspension followed CBS cancelling Stephen Colbert's The Late Show after a settlement involving Paramount and President Trump.

Read at Irish Independent