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

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, otherwise there would be “additional work” to be done.

Mr Kimmel also mocked the way Donald Trump responded to Mr Kirk’s death.

Speaking on the Late Late Show, Mr Kielty spoke resolutely into the camera, inviting Mr Kimmel to Ireland to practice the freedom to speak his mind.

“Hey Jimmy, it’s Patrick Kielty saying a big hello from Studio 4 of RTÉ here in Dublin, Ireland, home to the Late Late Show for over 60 years,” he began.

“Now, during that time there have of course been many in power who have wanted our show off air, and yet our bosses have never considered shutting us down,” he quipped.

“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,” he concluded, met by rapturous applause from the Late Late audience.

Mr Kimmel’s suspension follows the decision by rival US television network CBS to cancel comedian Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show two weeks after the network’s parent company Paramount paid President Trump a settlement worth a reported $16 million (€13.6 million) to end a defamation lawsuit against him.

Mr Colbert himself described this week’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a “blatant assault on freedom of speech”, while fellow late night host Seth Myers declared it “a privilege and honour to call Jimmy Kimmel my friend”.