During last nights live broadcast of PrimeTime on RTE, a video segment got stuck in an audio loop with Russian ambassador Maxim Peshkov repeating the phrase "Irish Ukrainians not Russians".
The programme was to discuss the crisis in the Ukraine but instead the words "Irish Ukrainians Not Russians" kept repeating on a loop for more than 10 minutes leaving viewers confused and irritated.
The video footage continued to roll in the background, meaning a series of interviews played out, only to be accompanied by the ambassador saying: "Irish Ukrainians, not Russians".
People tweeted and phoned with complaints about the length of the glitch. RTE's Managing Director of News and Current Affairs, Kevin Bakhurst, tweeted an apology to viewers and went some way in explaining the problem.
Many apologies to those watching RTEOne and #rtept - the engineers were aware and trying to sort. Not acceptable fault. Infuriating.
— Kevin Bakhurst (@kevinbakhurst) March 3, 2014
Initial reports on tonight's technical problem suggest it was an 'SD down-converter' in TV transmission area. HD unaffected. Sorry. #rtept
— Kevin Bakhurst (@kevinbakhurst) March 3, 2014
But once the madness ended, people started to see the funny side. With #irishukrainiansnotrussians trending on twitter, here are a few of your thoughts after the fact...
Now the Russians are looking at us. Thanks Rte well played!!#irishukrainiansnotrussians
— Shane Smith (@shanesmith008) March 4, 2014
#irishukrainiansnotrussians bahahahahaha good work licence fee. Good work indeed.
— David Kenny (@Garathon66) March 4, 2014
I reckon RTE +1 will have record viewers in about 45 minutes... #irishukrainiansnotrussians
— Dodge (@seidodge) March 3, 2014
Wouldn't it be great if first thing Vincent Browne said tonight was "#irishukrainiansnotrussians
— Ken Sweeney (@KenSweeney) March 3, 2014
Waking up on pancake Tuesday and all I can think of is - #irishukrainiansnotrussians 🙈🙈🙈🙈 #RTE #BrainJaxed
— Christine ✨✨✨ (@christine_dolan) March 4, 2014
Hope Putin wasn't watching prime time last night, rte almost declared war on Russia #irishukrainiansnotrussians
— Nagger (@half__ro) March 4, 2014
