UTV’s Paul Clark hits back in Irish after Sinn Fein man goes on the attack over Twitter reference to ‘our soldiers’ in Afghanistan
UTV anchorman Paul Clark hit back in Irish after Sinn Fein’s Niall O Donnghaile criticised him for referring to British soldiers as “ours”.
The broadcaster has been covering the Royal Irish Regiment and the 38th (Irish) Brigade’s tours in Afghanistan in a series across the week on UTV Live.
“How do our soldiers stay sharp?” he tweeted, promoting his second report on Tuesday.
Mr O Donnghaile was quick to respond.
“Paul ain’t speaking for me and many, many other UTV viewers when he uses the term ‘our’,” the former Belfast Lord Mayor and now member of the Irish Senate said.
Broadcaster Clark came back — in Gaelic — to fellow Irish speaker O Donnghaile.
“Don’t tell me you disown Irish men from Cork, Galway, Tipperary and Dublin. I’m Irish too you know,” he responded, adding that those in the battlefield were both friends in Afghanistan and at home in Ireland.
Mr O Donnghaile said while he understood that, it was important a distinction was made, adding: “Many have no truck with their escapades.
“It is not right that the British Army is in Ireland or in Afghanistan either.”
The spat ended with the two agreeing to disagree and Clark offering to buy the east Belfast man a cup of tea.
“It’s good to talk,” said O Donnghaile. “Always,” said Clark.
The veteran broadcaster has been at the forefront of news reporting in Northern Ireland and further afield for the past four decades.
He was brought up a Catholic, but attends Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast. He has in the past spoken of how, though he considers himself deeply religious, he rejects the Protestant and Catholic labels to describe himself.
He has also been quoted as saying he happily sees himself as being both Irish and British, and loves to speak in Irish while holidaying in Donegal. He has often covered the movements of the military, both in Ireland and abroad, and his great uncle Donald fought in the First World War. A spokeswoman for UTV added: “Paul Clark and Niall O Donnghaile had a healthy debate on Twitter last night, which ended amicably.
“UTV Live at Six is running a series of news reports this week from Afghanistan featuring the Royal Irish Regiment, who are part of a worldwide Nato presence in the region.
“This is Paul’s second visit and his reports give an insight into the regiment’s role and activities, which feature soldiers who come from all over Ireland.” Doug Beattie — an Ulster Unionist MLA who received the Military Cross for his courage during intense fighting in Afghanistan — criticised Mr O Donnghaile’s comments.
He took to Twitter to write: “Clear Sinn Fein’s new Ireland won’t have room for soldiers like me — be they from Tipperary or Tyrone. #OurSoldiers.”
Mr O Donnghaile is a prolific Twitter user and this is not the only argument he has had on social media. Earlier this week he ridiculed former Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon as a “bitter man” for suggesting the republican party had helped create the mess at Stormont.
“No wonder nationalism rejects this bitter man and SDLP,” tweeted Mr O Donnghaile.
“Total lack of self awareness, he delivered nothing and attacks those taking stand for rights.”