An online storm of controversy is underway after a Sky News reporter claimed Saoirse Ronan as British.
The Brooklyn actress was being named among the 2016 BAFTA nominees when the host made a throwaway comment that she hails from Britain.
“If we look at the leading actress category, I think we can take Saoirse Ronan as one of ours. She’s in Brooklyn, she’s nominated,” he said.
This comes following The London Critics’ Circle referring to Saoirse, Michael Fassbender and Colin Farrell as British last month – which forced them to change their film nominations.
The outrage has caused many proud Irish people to rant online, posting about how unfair it is that the young Co. Carlow actress is being stripped of her nationality.
“It’s very ironic that ye are trying to claim ‘Saoirse’ Ronan given that ‘Saoirse’ is the Irish word for freedom a name that became very popular in Ireland after we won our independence from Britain,” one wrote.
Another said: “Great Britain = British, Ireland = Irish. It really has to be simplified to that degree.”
Watch the moment the Sky News reporter made the faux pas here:
No, no you cant @JOEdotie @paddypower @Independent_ie @entertainmentIE @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/L994wkgjXo
— shane smith (@shanesmith32) January 8, 2016
