Support for UTV's Clark after Sinn Fein criticism

The television anchorman came under fire from Niall O Donnghaile on Tuesday after posting a Twitter message referring to the troops of the British Army regiment as “ours”.

Promoting his series of reports for UTV Live this week, broadcaster Clark tweeted: “Day two of my reports from #Afghanistan. How do our soldiers stay sharp?”

Mr O Donnghaile, a member of the Irish Senate and former Lord Mayor of Belfast, took issue with the description and sparked a public spat with fellow Irish-speaker Clark – calling on the television anchor to amend his phraseology in future.

“Paul ain’t speaking for me and many, many other UTV viewers when he uses the term ‘our’.” he said.

The Sinn Fein senator’s intervention provoked Clark to respond: “Is mise Gaeilge fosta” (I’m Irish too).

Clark said: “Don’t tell me to disown Irish men from Cork, Galway, Tipperary and Dublin.”

Twitter users supporting both points of view ensured the row continued on Wednesday night with former Royal Irish captain, Doug Beattie tweeting:

“Clear Sinn Fein’s new Ireland won’t have room for soldiers like me – be they from Tipperary or Tyrone.”

Another Twitter user said: “I served in the Royal Irish. I’m from the Shankill Rd, I have best mates from the Republic of Ireland.”

The exchanges between the presenter and the Sinn Fein representative ended amicably with the UTV man offering to buy the senator a cup of tea the next time they meet at the Senate.