US software security firm accused of ‘paddywhackery’ for booze poster

A US software security company, which has its European headquarters in Ireland, has been accused of “paddywhackery” by sending out St Patrick’s Day-themed posters which stereotype the Irish as a nation of drinkers.

The phone security infographic incorrectly labels Ireland as the world’s biggest beer-drinking nation and calls on people to “sober up” so they can protect their smartphone from a St Patrick’s Day disaster — namely letting it drop in a pint of beer.

It uses leprechauns to represent Irish people and when comparing parade attendance around the world, it uses the Statue of Liberty as the symbol of New York, Sydney Opera House for Australia and the CN Tower for Toronto — but a pint of Guinness for Ireland.