Coronation Street star causes furore with controversial tweet on Irish language and football
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Coronation Street star causes furore with controversial tweet on Irish language and football

A Coronation Street star has caused a furore over a controversial tweet on the Irish language and Gaelic football. 

Charlie Lawson, who played Jim McDonald on the soap, retweeted an Official GAA video of Kerry beating Donegal in the Allianz Football League yesterday.

The video featured commentary in Irish from the Gaelic football match at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Retweeting the video, Lawson - who runs a farm shop with his partner in Cheshire - said: "Sorry, what the f**k is an Irish language act going to do in promoting harmony, because as far as I’m concerned, that guy could have been asking me if I wanted a sherry in me Bloody Mary, whilst watching some weird game from I dunno [sic] where!"

The Irish Language Act, or Acht na Gaeilge, would recognise Irish as one of the official languages of Northern Ireland alongside English, and protect the rights of Irish speakers.

The tweet attracted much attention, with some calling Lawson 'disrespectful' and accusing the actor of going out of his way to be offended.

Lawson later clarified his tweet saying: "After a lengthy debate, I was none the wiser, hence the tweet.

"So, again, could someone please tell me what exactly is “A stand alone Irish language act," because so far, no one wants to explain!

"And by the way, I’d love to watch a game! Right, off filming now," he added.