No apology from Connolly for photographer tirade

Comedian Billy Connolly today refused to apologise for an incident during a concert in Killarney on Thursday night during which he is alleged to have called a local photographer a "f****** c***".

I seem to have caused a little ripple on the Lakes of Killarney,by telling a photographer to get the Hell out of my eye line.No regrets.

— Billy Connolly (@Billy_Connolly) May 4, 2013

"I seem to have caused a little ripple on the Lakes of Killarney," he wrote on his Twitter feed. "By telling a photographer to get the Hell out of my eye line.

"No regrets."

The Scottish funnyman is alleged to have verbally abused Valerie O’Sullivan, the in-house photographer at the INEC, as she took pictures of him performing at the venue, despite her having permission from both the comedian’s management and the venue to take pictures.

According to members of the audience Ms O’Sullivan was sitting on the steps about halfway down the auditorium when the comedian made some remarks about photographers making money out of him.

They reported hearing him telling her to “get the f*** out of here” and calling her a “fucking c**t”.

A clearly distressed Ms O’Sullivan, an award-winning photographer, left the venue in tears.

[comment]MORE: Connolly audience shocked over photographer abuse (Irish Examiner)[/comment]

Connolly also said "the photographer from Killarney seems to have run to the media weeping about the big bad comedian who gave her a hard time. Boo Hoo."

The photographer from Killarney seems to have run to the media weeping about the big bad comedian who gave her a hard time.Boo Hoo.

— Billy Connolly (@Billy_Connolly) May 4, 2013

However his account was rejected by social media users, who have expressed their dissatisfaction over Thursday night's events on platforms including Twitter and Facebook.

@Billy_Connolly I know this is not correct & Everybody who knows her knows this is not her form.

— Patrick O'Donoghue (@PODglen) May 4, 2013

@Billy_Connolly In fact, she didn't. It was furious audience members who did. You are very tall for a small man.

— Catherine Halloran (@popcornhack) May 4, 2013

Connolly this morning told the Marian Finucane Show on RTÉ radio that he had not realised the photographer was a woman.

"I told her to go away but she wouldn’t, so I told her to go away properly - in a Glaswegian fashion. It only takes two words," he was quoted as saying .

Asked if he regretted the incident, he said: "Certainly not. I'm very proud of it."

Meanwhile Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae is calling on the public to boycott Connolly's shows until such time as he apologises.

@Billy_Connolly Billy what you consider to be a ripple is turning into a tsunami down on top of you

— Michael Healy-Rae (@MHealyRae) May 4, 2013

Amid the furore, not all were critical of Connolly's actions.

Just been told the photographer insulted by Billy Connolly was using a flash during his gig. I'd have called her a c*nt too. Stupid carry on

— Anne Marie O'Connor (@Kitsgirl1) May 4, 2013

[comment]UPDATE:[/comment]

In a statement today the INEC said it deeply regretted the upset caused to Ms O’Sullivan.

"Valerie O’Sullivan has been the in-house photographer for the INEC and Gleneagle Hotel Group for the past twenty years," the statement read.

"As our official press photographer and as part of our ongoing public relations strategy she was engaged to photograph the recent Billy Connolly performance for INEC exclusive use.

"Permission had been granted for same in advance by Billy Connolly’s Irish promoter.

"The success of Valerie as our in-house photographer and her popularity with visiting artists is due to her discreet demeanour, professionalism and unobtrusive nature.

Valerie is not just a respected colleague but also a treasured friend to the management and staff of the INEC and Gleneagle Hotel Group.

"Valerie is a highly regarded professional photographer and also a highly respected member of the Killarney community, a tireless volunteer and supporter of local charities and groups.

"The numerous messages of goodwill and support that we have received is testament to the high regard in which she is held within the local community.

"The INEC regret any upset caused to Valerie."

Connolly played Cork Opera House last night as part of his ‘Man Live Tour’.

I played at the Opera house in Cork last night.I had a great time.Great crowd,great theatre,great staff.Great to be back.

— Billy Connolly (@Billy_Connolly) May 4, 2013

A second concert at the venue on Sunday is sold out.