82 Comments

• Cherball | Sep 08, 2012, 09:59 PM EDT

  What part of English didn't you all understand, we are Irish we have good cause to dislike them. Just because he's black, you think he's Obama. Wake up!

• Briandee | Aug 11, 2012, 04:49 PM EDT

  hes black...why is he in Europe?

• ciaradexy | Jul 31, 2012, 06:17 PM EDT

  Francis, he meant Irish not Americans.

• Ron | Jul 31, 2012, 12:22 AM EDT

  Get over yourselves! It was his idea of an Irish joke ferchrissake. There are other Irish jokes around based on the Olympics. The Irish athlete carrying a roll of barbed wire is a beauty. When asked what event he represents, he replied 'fencing'. Bloody hilarious.

• curtisjohnson | Jul 29, 2012, 10:34 PM EDT

  Whinging would not be inaccurate but I was referring to nation rape.

• seanomelb | Jul 29, 2012, 07:10 PM EDT

  What pastime is that Curtis whingeing??

• curtisjohnson | Jul 28, 2012, 11:14 PM EDT

  Maybe british patriotards like Daley and towntroll are just venting their frustration that their most prominent national past time has been ommitted from the Olympics.

• americelt | Jul 28, 2012, 07:50 PM EDT

  I don't get it??? I have spent a lot of time in England as well as Ireland and have never before heard of stupidity being attributed to the Irish. A certain Euro County? Yes. As tasteless as it would be had he sad the tattooist must have been P____ I would have gotten that. :D

• jaysuscarrot | Jul 28, 2012, 05:37 PM EDT

  Who can forget Daley Thompson parading around the arena at the 1984 Olympics wearing a T shirt saying "Is the world's 2nd greatest athlete gay?" - a reference to the sexuality of Carl Lewis. He has always been a crass, ignorant bigot.

• curtisjohnson | Jul 28, 2012, 11:35 AM EDT

  It was not long ago that the teutonic/nordic master race psychosis was popular in the anglo maintstream. Due to the mass immigration/cheap labor project, this has been made taboo (with only nutbags like the recent Liverpool protesters openly advocating them) but are still unofficially followed and manifest themselves directly and indirectly. The desire to equate the "Celts" with "aryans" (lol) probably played a role in the excess emphasis on the Halstatt culture as the origin of the culture (based upon inaccurate physical descriptions contained in selected Roman texts).

• curtisjohnson | Jul 28, 2012, 11:28 AM EDT

  Schon have you actually read the book? It copiously supports the premise and includes and carefully considers the contra theory. The issue will never be 100% proven but the weight of the evidence certainly supports their position. "'Celtic Culture' is based on Celtic or proto-Celtic language, their art and literature" What is the Celtic literature to which you refer?? What is your definition of what a "Celt" is??? What are the specific genetic markers (both patrilinear and matrilinear)?

• FrancisKy | Jul 28, 2012, 10:32 AM EDT

  I always felt that the Irish could laugh at themselves better than anyone else. That's what makes us so lovable. I think we really have more important things to worry about right now.

• Schon | Jul 27, 2012, 11:50 PM EDT

  Nope, I agree with you regards nationality and race but then you need to put yourself into the mindset of the politically correct English ma ,,, person. 15 years ago a lecturer in one of the northern English universities was awarded £15000 because his colleagues called him 'Paddy'. His forename was Patrick.

• Schon | Jul 27, 2012, 11:18 PM EDT

  curtisjohnson The idea of a 'Celtic Culture' is based on Celtic or proto-Celtic language, their art and literature WRT Cunliffe & Koch, their premise regards the arrival of Indo-European circa 5000BC on the atlantic coast with Celtic language developing and spreading into europe. However, there appears to be a dearth of archaeological evidence to be found in the Iberian Peninsula to support this theory. Languages leave little archaeological evidence. Further, there is an attempt to redefine what a Celt is in the book and the time when the Celtic language developed is ambiguous but slanted towards the pre-Hallstatt D, the Urnfield.

• curtisjohnson | Jul 27, 2012, 09:22 PM EDT

  Preliminarily, as stated, "Celtic" has never been definitively demonstrated as anything beyond a cultural term. The current thinking is that the Celtic culture spread from the Atlantic zone during the bronze age as evidenced by the publications resulting from the most recent conference of scholars on the issue (reproduced in the 2012 publication by Cunliffe and Koch "Celtic from the West"). The Halstatt region did produce most of the prodigous metal artwork identified with Celtic culture, most likely due to the vast mineral wealth of the area.

• Schon | Jul 27, 2012, 07:44 AM EDT

  curtisjohnson The Celts are thought to have originated in mid-Europe, a swathe running northeast to southwest through Switzerland circa 1200BC. The Hallstatt culture, late bronze age circa 600BC, developed from the Urnfield culture, that occupied this swathe of land. It was the Hallstatt culture that spread West. It is thought that the Urnfield culture was preceded by Beaker, Unetice and Tumulus cultures (in that order). There are dissenting opinions putting teh Celts origins in the Iberian Peninsula, however, the criteria used to define 'Celticism' tends to favour the Urnfield culture that precedes the Iberian evidence.

• curtisjohnson | Jul 26, 2012, 09:33 PM EDT

  There is no "pure race" and "Celtic" has yet to be definitively identified in genetic terms. However, the most recent thought is that the Celtic culture spread from the West rather than Halstatt as originally speculated.

• seanomelb | Jul 26, 2012, 08:53 PM EDT

  Schon made a correct statement we are not really Celts and DNA proves it.

• Towngate | Jul 26, 2012, 10:53 AM EDT

  It was a flippant remark made on the heat of the live studio transmission. If you want to point a finger - do so at the producer/editor and 'presenters' who ran the item! Daley Thompson is a terrific chap who has been an inspiration to many following his successes. HE is the victim here. So relax, and prepare to enjoy the many Irish triumphs to come in the London 2012 Olympics!

• hancock | Jul 26, 2012, 10:31 AM EDT

  You're the only whacko talking about pure races.

• Schon | Jul 26, 2012, 05:31 AM EDT

  curtisjohnson so who were the original inhabitants of Ireland, the Fir Bolg? But they weren't Celts. The makers of Newgrange, etc. certainly weren't the Celts to which the 'Pure Irish' hail as their forebearers. And do you mean to say that all of the blow ins in the later migrations/invasions didn't 'know' the local inhabitants? Strangely enough the blood grouping of Ireland is reasonably close to that of the United Kingdom, that most bastardly of races! What does that say for your 'Pure Irish race'? You really want to read from unbiased sources. Any website tha has celtic, or Ireland in the name should be suspect.

• seanomelb | Jul 26, 2012, 03:28 AM EDT

  British only the English call themselves British and a few loyalists in the north they all suffer from a sense of mis-belonging.

• curtisjohnson | Jul 25, 2012, 10:58 PM EDT

  The notion of the existence of a "pure race" is fiction outside of the minds of anglo-nordic supremacists/fetichist or presbyterian chosenites. However, genetics, anthropology, and archaelogy leave no serious scientific dispute that the Irish are among the most indigenous and homogeneous peoples in Europe. Perhaps this explains why, despite centuries of nation mugging by the british crime syndicate, they have no need to invent a phony nationality such as "british."

• Schon | Jul 25, 2012, 07:53 PM EDT

  For your information nope, the Irish consider themselves to be a pure race. They were never invaded by the Romans! (But the Celts, Spanish, Britons, Vikings, Normans, English, Welsh, Scots and uncle Tom Cobley an' all invaded but never, I repeat never, indulged in carnal knowledge... ever, with any of the local Irish race). So you see, they can be a racial group... because they have kept themselves poor... I mean pure.

• seanomelb | Jul 25, 2012, 07:52 PM EDT

  IrelandNorth had the same experience in Dover (1966).

• hancock | Jul 25, 2012, 04:48 PM EDT

  What a jackass.

• nope | Jul 25, 2012, 04:31 PM EDT

  So the author is highlighting apparent racism and is at the same time calling a mixed race man black! Can't take this article seriously.

• nope | Jul 25, 2012, 04:16 PM EDT

  Last I checked, you can't be racist against a nationality. How do we know he wasn't referring to an Asian Irish person or a Black Irish person, hmmm?! Besides, he was probably just repeating something he had already heard sarcastically- you know banter... John Terry can explain that one.

• Barry | Jul 25, 2012, 02:45 PM EDT

  I'm Irish, living in Ireland, and so should probably be offended by what Daley Thompson said. But strangely, I'm not. The reason: the racist remarks I've heard made time and time again by Irish people (including those in the US and the UK) about Blacks (or "darkies" as some ignorant, bigoted Irishmen in Britian still call them!) and other ethnic minorities. You only have to look at the comment made by tomgallagher below to see that these kind of attitudes are alive and well. I also think it's quite possible Thompson's remarks were to do with the pronounciation of the word "Olympic", as someone alluded to earlier. In any event, we Irish would want to have a look at our own racist attitudes towards others before getting up on our high horse about this one.

• Sparklet | Jul 25, 2012, 09:36 AM EDT

  KinsaleLad - you have every reason to be cocky. I've got English friends who adore the Irish, and envy the fact that everyone loves us. :) And if they could bag an Irish man, they'd be in seventh heaven. And friends who aren't looking for husbands have holidayed over there, and love it

• Schon | Jul 25, 2012, 09:06 AM EDT

  Yo seanomeil you hypocritical republican murderers apologists, nice to see you here. Wee story for you, and you other poor souls of slighted Irishness...A Kerryman meets another Kerryman carrying a sack. "What's in the sack?" asks the first Kerryman. "I'm not saying", says the second. "Ah go on, go on, go on", says first. "Oh, OK. It's ducks". "If I guess how many, will you give me one?" asks the first Kerryman. "OK", if you can guess how many, I'll give you both", says the second. "Four" says the first Kerryman. Get a life you bunch of losers. So it's alright for Irishmen to joke about the Kerrymen, but let an English man, hell a Black one at that, even try to be funny and you bunch of racists start crying. Boo hoo. Luv & kisses seanomelb. Miss ya!

• SAirish | Jul 25, 2012, 08:15 AM EDT

  1MADCELT, if it wasn't for the British Empire you would be speaking Spanish - opps you already are speaking Spanish!

• IrelandNorth | Jul 25, 2012, 05:45 AM EDT

  On returning from my first trip abroad from Ireland overland back through England and Wales from the mainland (pre- EU cohesion), HM Customs at Dover port offered entry through gates for British - Commonwealth and - Other. Being Irish, we went to Other, only to be insistently invited by immigration official through the speedily cleared British gate. On telling him we weren't British, he waved somewhat dismissively, seemingly thinking we were apologising for a political reality. This despite a long tail back of Asian and Africo-Carribbean Commonwealth citizens more entitled to priority entry to UK than us. Only distinction - skin colour! Senior Thatcherite Conservative Norman Tebbitt once told a Jamaican journalist living in Britain that he could be British but he never could be English. Hmmm! Wonder what he meant? Discriminated people usually attempt to project their shame transfer onto to exploited others. Alas, Irish themselves have done so in the past. What goes around comes around.

• GhostHunter | Jul 25, 2012, 04:58 AM EDT

  What does being black have to do with anything anymore... Everyone always looks at blacks as a minority... This is bull.. in Africa alone there are 1,032,532,974 That is over a BILLION people!!!! Not to mention those in the U.S., Europe, Central and South America and the Caribbean. When are people going to wake up and see that there is nothing special about being blacks, white, asian, spanish... etc... These politically correct morons have people soooo blinded that you cannot even make a joke about anything anymore.. I live in Ireland and this idiot is a racist bastard and a piece of crap... But as someone from Ireland I am too.. it is part of my Irish Culture to be racist... Watch the movie "The Guard" Brendan Gleason says it all...

• irishpjk | Jul 25, 2012, 12:01 AM EDT

  wft The very sad thing is this; most of the people who heard what he said knew it was a joke. But you always have the few who are looking for something that will give them a soap box to get up on and run their mouths. What’s so sad is they get the media caught up in their stupidity and start looking for an apology. God be with the good old days when we could make a joke and all laugh at our self’s.

• curtisjohnson | Jul 24, 2012, 09:36 PM EDT

  @kaydog - correct, it's more of a subracial taxonomy. However, british animus makes it substantively the same. As noted by other posters, this has been cultivated over the years as an informal (and in former times formal) justification for british atrocities and oppression in Ireland. Regarding sensitivity, none are more so than the english who complain bitterly about any perceived slight. It is correct that the anglo oriented Irish establishment/mass media have carefully continued to promote a post-colonial self hatred in Ireland.

• Kinsale lad | Jul 24, 2012, 09:36 PM EDT

  Its a little disappointing at first but then I realized that we have moved WAY beyond this during the past 20 years. We are successful, wealthy, educated, confident, cocky and no one will stand in our way in the future. I am so cocky at this stage in my life that I firmly believe that the Brits look up to us just as they look up to Americans and they now suffer from a lack of self confidence, thus the snide remark to make himself feel better. Don't worry Irish men and women - we are the future.

• maryosullivan | Jul 24, 2012, 08:59 PM EDT

  Hey, Thompson, how did you feel when Thatcher's husband referred to blacks as "fuzzy- wuzzys" ,one of the milder slurs by the ruling class? or perhaps you don't know you are black

• Beedee | Jul 24, 2012, 08:52 PM EDT

  Kaydog, can you explain your comment re Irish not being a Racial Category?

• oaklongan | Jul 24, 2012, 08:47 PM EDT

  What Daley Thompson said sounded like jokes made about the Polish years ago in the U.S...unfortunately, also true are the same jokes and WORSE about the Irish and American Indians. Outstanding American, Olympic Champion Gold-Medalist Jim Thorpe demonstrated a Higher level of skill and versatility in many sports tban Daley Thompson. The late Jim Thorpe was(is) Native-American (a quarter each of Sauk & Fox, Potawatomie, Irish and French), Many moons ago had the bast biography of him by Robert Wheeler, who with his Wife, and Mother, as a Labor of Love, set up a Foundation for the Restoration of Jim Thorpe's Olympic Gold Medal Honors. Among numerous Advisors were Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill and Senator Morris K. Udall. At the U.S. Olympics in Los Angeles, CA in 1984, Jim Thore's (replica) Olympic Gold Medals were given to one of his sons and daughters...

• seanomelb | Jul 24, 2012, 06:57 PM EDT

  Oi find tha tomsin is an Idoit moi tato is speled cirectly. Kaydog1 has lost her bone.

• Greendays | Jul 24, 2012, 05:22 PM EDT

  Of course the real problem started on his mama's side of the family: so lighten up. When will it end you ask? I don't know; but It's not gonna start here. So break it up and move along.

• JimmieM | Jul 24, 2012, 04:08 PM EDT

  people who have such a need slander another person or race only feel good about them selves this way....pitiful really.....they harm themselves more than anyone else.

• 1MADCELT | Jul 24, 2012, 03:58 PM EDT

  not this crap again, this has got to stop. if it weren't for us here in america and elsewhere all of ye would be speaking german right now. so the next time you start uttering nonsense remember Irish America is watching you...

• occassio | Jul 24, 2012, 03:49 PM EDT

  I think Mr. Thompson is an unmitigated jerk and should not be allowed to light the torch. The Olympics is supposed to be the best of the best. He is not representative. He's too smug with his majestic status. Given that he's black, cultural slurs shouldn't even be a part of his lexicon. Particularly since I'm sure that he's had his share and didn't feel good about it. kaydog1. I imagine in this day and age, many of us have been ridiculed and insulted at some point in our lives. I know that I have. However, objecting to cultural insults is not being hypersensitive. Insults of any kind are objectionable. In a kind world, people should respect each other. It should be a goal if not a race along the way. And, yes, I know it’s wishful thinking! Let’s hope those of us who know better will spread the word.

• Sparklet | Jul 24, 2012, 03:24 PM EDT

  Mayolady, everything you say is right, but it's in the past. A stupid comment by DT doesn't mean that people in the UK feel that way about the Irish now - I can guarantee that whilst there are still people who don't like Irish/Jews/Muslims etc. Irish are pretty popular here. The ignorance of the past is being eradicated, but there are still people who think the Irish started the troubles - I don't blame them for that because in the main they've been willing to listen to the truth, because it was something Governments of the past haven't been very liberal with. The British public were kept in the dark about the history. I blame past Governments. I don't blame the people of today.

• kaydog1 | Jul 24, 2012, 03:00 PM EDT

  For those posting before me, please note that "Irish" is NOT a racial category, so none of this can be labled 'racism', as much as the Left may dearly love to label anyone who disagrees with them as a 'RACIST!!!'' Also, if the Irish had a better self-image, they wouldn't be so hypersensitive to every chance statement. Those of you professing to be offended should be ashamed of yourselves, you're PATHETIC. Kindly go out and get yourselves lives. And stop sniveling. Now go away...you're useless to me like this!

• IrishAndProud | Jul 24, 2012, 02:49 PM EDT

  I must ask, what's with the 'because he's black he should have known better?' Are we somehow shocked that black people can be racists, too (which I don't think was even the case here, by the way)? Perhaps we've sold ourselves so overwhelmingly on the sludge of political correctness that when it turns out minorities are mere mortals themselves -- with the same potential weaknesses as anyone else -- it stuns us, a wee bit.

• Mayolady | Jul 24, 2012, 02:28 PM EDT

  The British anti-Irish bias did not originate during the Troubles in Northern Ireland but goes way back--even 1600s. Their mistreatment of Irish CAUSED the Troubles. Google anti-Irish cartoons in British media. Irish children are pictures as idiots in rags and Irish were called "white apes". For the BBC to excuse this insulting comment as "a joke" reveals that such jokes are acceptable even today in Britain. Despite recent overtures by the royal family to woo Irish public opinion for their own benefit economically, they still ignore the Irish Famine which was not about potato blight as much as a desire to get rid of Irish people to make pasture for sheep and cattle and provide meat for English labor. Eviction and the export of food caused 2 1/2 million to disappear in just ten years---mostly died. Only a terrible racism allowed that to occur and it should not be tolerated in the media at the very least. It is a violation of the spirit of the Olympics and leads to violation of human rights.

• Sparklet | Jul 24, 2012, 02:22 PM EDT

  Kevin, that's what I heard to, and yes, it was classless and inappropriate. DT has always been a clown, and I don't think for one minute that he has any inbred hatred for the Irish, or anyone else. There was nothing malicious in what he said, which doesn't justify it, but what's worse - a stupid joke by a well known idiot, or the hate-filled racism you find here.

• Kevin Longan | Jul 24, 2012, 01:59 PM EDT

  Wasn't the joke supposed to be a play on the word "Oylympic" or some such nonsense (referring to Irish pronunciation or stupidity?)? That's what I'm confused about.. Regardless it was kind of classless and totally inappropriate. If Thompson wasn't half-black he would have been castigated big-time, you can believe that. Ironic that the tattooist was an American, by the way!

• seagreen | Jul 24, 2012, 01:49 PM EDT

  No big deal, I was just humor. Everyone gets the same dishing... How many people can fit in the front seat of a French car ? When the Irish stop worrying what other people think, they will have arrived ! What is a wealthy black tie salesmean ? et al......

• hancock | Jul 24, 2012, 01:45 PM EDT

  I condemn Daley Thompson. I hope I spelled everything correct.

• hancock | Jul 24, 2012, 01:30 PM EDT

  I condemn Daley Thompson for being an idiot. I hope I spelled everything correct.

• weeknocky | Jul 24, 2012, 01:22 PM EDT

  PC crap. I find the comment funny but then I am older and remember when everyone made fun of everyone else and no one got offended. Lighten up. It's funny.

• Sparklet | Jul 24, 2012, 01:12 PM EDT

  Jeez. what's wrong with you people - you're no different to Thompson! There is racism in the UK, no question - but is there more or less than anywhere else? It's pathetic to take one man's comments and then say it shows that anti-Irish racism is still alive and well in the UK. I'm not disputing that it exists, but it exists everywhere. There's anti-English sentiment spouted on here all the time, but it's justifiable because "they started it", I suppose. Condemn Daley Thompson for being an idiot - but for God's sake, stop turning it into the kind of racist rants you're actually complaining about. Listen to yourselves! It's pathetic, it's ignorant, and it's hypocritical. An English friend of mine stood up in a debate and condemned as shameful English history in Ireland - but in your closed eyes, she's just one person I suppose - but so is Daley Thompson! Grow up the lot of you. Racism exists, yes - don't add to it!

• Porickseantuny | Jul 24, 2012, 12:57 PM EDT

  There is no question that a white athlete who demeans another ethinic or racial group would be shunned by the media

• maryosullivan | Jul 24, 2012, 12:33 PM EDT

  Remember how the Jews ,for years,went after Mel Gibson for his drunken comments. How a Senator from Florida is still ranting about Che's statue in Galway. Are Irish people supposed to ignore attacks and slurs directed at them?? Maybe Adams. McGuinness will kowtow . I am hopeful the rest of us will not

• IrishRyan | Jul 24, 2012, 12:32 PM EDT

  Daly should be ashamed of himself, it just goes to show anti-irish racism is still alive and well in the UK....even though 12% of the entire UK population have AT LEAST one Irish grandparent.

• Sparklet | Jul 24, 2012, 12:10 PM EDT

  hardshoe, you're talking rubbish:Once again the English have proven that they think they're better? So one not so bright person makes a stupid comment, and is criticised for being racist - and you come here and make an equally racist comment, but that's okay? Look up the word hypocrite. Might have your name next to it.

• hancock | Jul 24, 2012, 12:10 PM EDT

  Lighten up sparklet it was just a joke. Spot that irony.

• Tooreenagrena | Jul 24, 2012, 11:58 AM EDT

  Replace the word 'Irish' with West Indian, Indian, akistani or Chinese and see what would have happened. To the irish begrugders who say its only a joke join the Frank 'para' Carson fan club.

• cahalfinbarr | Jul 24, 2012, 11:50 AM EDT

  Silly comment. Niall O'Dowd even sillier wasting time on it.

• TisEyerish | Jul 24, 2012, 11:49 AM EDT

  Prejudice, in any form, shows a very poor mental attitude and intolerance for those who are different. If an Irishman made the same comment, substituting "black" for "Irish," there would be hell to pay and that person would probably be banned from the Olympics. An apology is not enough...this man has no place among athletes and he especially should not be the one to light the Olympic torch.

• hardshoe83 | Jul 24, 2012, 11:37 AM EDT

  Once again the English have proven that they think they are better. You don't even have to tell them that they think they're better they just say and do things to prove it all the time. And he's black, doesn't he have any idea what race he is? Duh! If someone said something about blacks there would be hell to pay, but a joke about the irish is okay? What is this world coming to? I'm of presbyterian faith and there are a couple of english people at my church and their comments about the irish are so racist. They think all irish are members of the IRA, and that brit rule in the north of ireland should continue. I got into an argument about it once. The world is full of ignorance.

• handsome68 | Jul 24, 2012, 11:37 AM EDT

  I learned a couple of what I consider to be very funny, but maybe very "politically incorrect", jokes by working with people of, well let's just say, another ethnic group. (My parents were Irish-born.) Lighten up, lads and lassies. Humor can go over the line and even outside the box. That is what a lot of humor is all about anyway, isn't it?

• Sparklet | Jul 24, 2012, 11:36 AM EDT

  So Hancock calls DT 'an English dick'. Spot the irony there. Beats me how someone who is obviously racist can comment on an alleged racist. And I say alleged because I saw one report - might not be true - that DT was referring to the pronunciation of Oylmpic being Irish. If not, then DT was after a cheap laugh, and was just stupid. But this place is rife with racists - and rife with hypocrisy at the moment too.

• Sparklet | Jul 24, 2012, 11:27 AM EDT

  If dis gui is sooch a bigshot athilete den heed beter not go aroun maken fun of the Irish as we are not tick or lazee.

• LacarourSeanB | Jul 24, 2012, 11:24 AM EDT

  Hardly a big deal and no one should explode a tempest in a tea pot and, YES, many of us are way too sensitive any more. The Political Correctness in vogue these days seems to have run seriously run amok. Nonetheless, it was indeed an inappropriate and gratuitous comment and having been made on the open airwaves, although it should not have the fellow excoriated, it should nonetheless not be taken TOO lightly either. So as to send a message that such notions should not be reinforced, the honor of lighting the Olympic (Look at THAT, will you! My blood runs entirely green and I actually spelled it correctly! Yeats and Joyce must be proud) flame should go to another worthy of the honor. Tomgallagher, poor fellow, you're worse than Thompson. Having achieved what Thompson did can hardly have him rendered to be lazy and he's likely not stupid either. Just a touch of foot in mouth syndrome. That's all. I must say that I find common ground with hyattsville. Negative and gratuitous comments from any individual intending to blanket any group is an item we all should scrupulously avoid in thought, word and deed.

• hancock | Jul 24, 2012, 11:17 AM EDT

  What an English dick.

• Nelsonbarry | Jul 24, 2012, 11:09 AM EDT

  thompson , with a small t should look at his own race.

• lokionline | Jul 24, 2012, 10:57 AM EDT

  A moment on the lips... forever on the h... Interweb!

• Paradigm | Jul 24, 2012, 10:45 AM EDT

  The worst elements of the Irish are encourgaed to be patronising and condescending - "Should Martin shake the Queen's hand"? Hardly compares Thompson's 'throw-away' comment. Get a life you I-A exports.

• tomgallagher | Jul 24, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT

  The words are implied mama. Read between the lines.

• tomgallagher | Jul 24, 2012, 10:19 AM EDT

  As far as lighting the torch is concerned I nominate Bradley Wiggins.

• mamaginnty | Jul 24, 2012, 10:19 AM EDT

  Where's the words...lazy and stupid tomgallagher. I am Irish, living in Ireland and take Daley's comment as it was intended.. a joke.

• tomgallagher | Jul 24, 2012, 10:14 AM EDT

  That makes me laugh, a negro calling the Irish lazy and stupid.

• Ray1Gordon | Jul 24, 2012, 09:59 AM EDT

  Thompson is an arrogant jerk who has a big mouth. If someone had made a joke about blacks, he and his ilk would be screaming bloody murder. Most of the English people at our club in Florida love to trash the Irish. They make me sick.

• bogsidebunny | Jul 24, 2012, 09:50 AM EDT

  Geez, has Political Correctness infected the world to the point where anything PERCEIVED as Anti must be eradicated. The Micks are so friggin sanctimonous and insecure they're boardering on paranoia. Get a life fer God's sake!

• hyattsville | Jul 24, 2012, 09:44 AM EDT

  Let’s be honest though, Thompson’s remark pales in comparison to the vehement anti-black comments that frequent the pages of Irish Central. Thompson’s remark was obviously meant as a joke which fell flat. The racist comments that many of the readership of IC are frequently cruel and bitter and never funny. And wasn't Patricia Quinlan ,his ex-wife and mother of his children, Irish?!

• borefield | Jul 24, 2012, 09:44 AM EDT

  Good article Niall. Spot on. My personal feelings are, he does NOT deserve light the torche.

• BigDaddy | Jul 24, 2012, 09:40 AM EDT

  I think this statement is proof positive that people are truly equal. Not only is Thompson a gold medal athlete but he can fit his entire foot in his mouth. Bravo, Daley. btw, Niall, you miss-spelt mis-spelled. ;)