Ireland’s leading talk show host, Ryan Tubridy, has criticized Liz Alderman's New York Times article on post-Celtic Tiger Ireland, calling it "badly researched, shoddy journalism." The article quoted a former businessman who said he was forced to shoot pigeons for food to survive.

"It's not good news in many respects for people in Ireland - to have to put up with that nonsense," he said on his RTÉ 2fm morning show.

"As I say, badly researched, shoddy journalism," he added, according to the Irish Independent.

In the article, entitled 'Hardships Linger for a Mending Ireland,' Alderman described 'Downtown Dublin' as prosperous, with people living in other areas suffering from poverty.

According to the controversial article, John Donovan, a former businessman who lives in his mother's cottage in Shankill, shoots pigeons and grills them outside to save money.

Tubridy said the article could be damaging to Ireland's reputation.

"That's just shoddy, crappy journalism on the part of The New York Times," he said.

"It's a disappointing day for journalism, particularly for The New York Times. They should hang their heads on this one for getting it so wrong and embarrassing us as a nation."

He described the article as "unforgivable journalism."

"Once it's in The New York Times, it's not just read there, it's read all over the world."

Turbidy went on to mock the idea of Irish people roasting pigeons by inviting a caller on the show to discuss which types of pigeon can be eaten.

Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O'Connor has also rejected the New York Times' depiction of Ireland, as did Fine Gael councillor John Bailey.

"People can exaggerate things. I’m very proud of the people there. It’s a picturesque beautiful village. How dare anyone criticise it like that," said Bailey.