THE IRISH TV presenter who provided the voiceover for a controversial comedy sketch depicting God as a rapist has issued an apology for his part in the skit.
Former RTÉ news presenter Aengus Mac Grianna narrated the Waterford Whispers spoof news sketch in which he described the Almighty as "the latest figure to be implicated in ongoing sexual harassment scandals".
“The five-billion-year-old stood accused of forcing himself on a young middle-eastern migrant and allegedly impregnating her against her will,” Mac Grianna continued.
“He was sentenced to two years in prison with the last 24 months suspended.”
Though intended as joke, the sketch sparked an angry response from the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin who described it as “deeply offensive”.
“To broadcast such a deeply offensive and blasphemous clip about God and Our Blessed Mother Mary during the Christmas season is insulting to all Catholics and Christians.”
RTÉ has since issued an apology over the incident, which has already generated over 5,000 complaints.
Mac Grianna has now also expressed remorse over his involvment, taking to Twitter to say that he was “deeply sorry for the offence”.
“I wish to apologise concerning my participation in the Waterford Whispers News item on the NYE show on RTE 1 on New Year's Eve,” he wrote.
“Truly I am deeply sorry for the offence, distress and hurt caused. It was wrong for me. It was wrong of me. Aengus Mac Grianna.”
According to a statement released by RTÉ there have been "approximately 3,500 emails and 1,250 calls regarding the sketch which featured on the RTÉ One New Year's Eve countdown programme.
"This takes into account emails to RTÉ's Complaints and Information Offices, as well as calls to RTÉ's Information Office and to RTÉ's main reception."
