A member of comedy duo The 2 Johnnies has said a member of their team had edited a controversial video which contained offensive content and that it lacked the "context" of their condemnations.
Following an outcry over the item about crude and sexist car stickers, which was aired during their podcast, RTÉ 2fm removed the duo from the air yesterday, three days after their Drive It show began on the station.
Speaking on Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1 on Friday, Johnny B said it was their "intention" to condemn the offensive car stickers.
However, the comedian conceded that the pair "did not go far enough" in their condemnation.
"We were not clear enough in our condemnation," he said.
He said when a social media clip went out without the context of any condemnation, they asked for the video to be taken down.
"We didn't edit the video ourselves it was one of our team which makes it our responsibility and we have to stand over it," Johnny B said.
"As soon as we saw it, we took it down and that's what we've apologised for. Without the context, that video is offensive."
He also said he did not know when the duo would be back on air.
In a brief statement, 2fm said: "The 2 Johnnies will remain off air while we review the matter."
Speaking on Thursday, the duo of John O'Brien and John McMahon said: "We would like to apologise for the content which appeared on our social media, these posts were offensive and should never have been published.
"This is not who we are nor what we stand for. We aim to do better in the future, we are not perfect, and we are learning all the time."
The video has since been removed from the duo's social media platforms.
In a statement yesterday, RTÉ said: "RTÉ believes in dignity and respect and does not tolerate material or attitudes of this nature.
"The 2 Johnnies will not be on air today while we review the matter."
Speaking about the offensive content, Fine Gael TD Ciarán Cannon said: "The use of language that is deeply derogatory and demeaning of women cannot be tolerated by our national broadcaster.
"Our licence fee cannot be used to fund an undermining of our ambition to make Ireland a more equal and safer place for women.
"Negative attitudes towards women are wired into our brains early in life, and a station that targets young people should be aware of this and act accordingly. The '2 Johnnies' have a huge following across the country, with a particularly significant influence on young men.
"Their comments directed at women were demeaning and lacking in basic respect. They objectified women's bodies, with absolutely no regard as to their personhood."
