Evicted Traitors Ireland contestants Katelyn and Eamon have hit back at hostile and critical online commentary about their time on the hit RTÉ show.
The pair were banished from the Traitors castle over the last two episodes after they were both exposed as Traitors and have since come in for online criticism, with Katelyn saying that she had to block some people from her social media.
The tournament of backstabbing and mind games continues tonight, Monday, and Tuesday on RTÉ One with the remaining contestants vying for the €50,000 prize money in Slane Castle.
And now that she's off the show, Katelyn, who works as an organisational development consultant for various businesses, has made her feelings clear about the online abuse she has faced.
"It's obviously the first time there's been an Irish version of the show," she said. "Playing the game and watching it back, I don't think I did anything that would justify some of the commentary that I got.
"Me and Eamon spoke about it this morning - I went in to create a character and play a villain, and maybe I deserve some of the comments, but I think some of the comments I've gotten were a bit gendered and a bit loaded."
She added: "It is a little bit sad that in 2025 that when a woman shows a little bit of strength, it attracts such disproportionate hostility. I stood up for myself. I'm a strong person, I'm very resilient, and I'm also very happy that I have a lot of love and happiness in my life.
"I had to block a few people who were borderline harassing me all day. They're choosing a path of hatred and misery, whereas I have so much love and friendship and happiness in my life.
"Thankfully, there has been a lot more love than hate, and as Eamon said, it is a game, and I hope people understand that."
Eamon was in full agreement, saying: "It's a TV show first and foremost and it's a game. It's called The Traitors for a reason. A lot of Irish audiences will be watching the show for the first time, so some people probably don't grasp the concept.
"I played a pure character; it's a bit of fun. You have to do stuff that's a little bit underhanded and that's the nature of the game."
"What you see on screen isn't real life, it's a bit of fun," he added. "I purposefully went out there to create a character for the country to root against, and I think the majority of people watching the show can take it for what it is."
As the plot thickens and the show enters its third week, all eyes seem to be turning to remaining Traitor Paudie, who Eamon describes as "a superstar".
Katelyn is also a fan.
"I'm delighted that the country has Paudie fever," she said.
Asked if he felt like turning around when he was evicted and exposing Paudie as a fellow Traitor, Eamon said: "No, no, no. Look, I respect everyone and I respect the game, so I would never, ever do that. Exposing Paudie never crossed my mind. It was checkmate, fair play, you got me. It is what it is."
Eamon, who hails from Cahir in Tipperary, was revealed to be a member of An Garda Síochána at the end of his time on the show.
Speaking about how his fellow guards have reacted to his time on The Traitors Ireland, he said: "I have had unbelievable support from all my colleagues. It's been really fun; they're loving the memes. In general, I got very good feedback and I am very pleased."
Katelyn, who is from near Headford in Galway, has a background in psychology.
When asked if she used her skills on the show, she said: "I would have liked to do it a lot more. My initial gameplan was to use my knowledge, but unfortunately when you're in there, you just get to the stage of fight or flight and you're using your limbic brain and you're not using your executive brain, so it's hard."
Speaking about what it was like to take part in The Traitors Ireland, Eamon said: "It's been pretty incredible. I knew through the process and when we entered Slane Castle that it was going to be good, but I could not prepare for some of the very entertaining television.
"I'm chuffed. I think it will be on Reeling in the Years in the future, so it feels good to be part of that."
Eamon added: "For me, it is an absolute honour and a privilege. Before the Irish version was ever announced, I knew I had to be on it. It's been an absolutely amazing and fantastic experience.
"I may be a bit biased, but I think this is the best version of the show."
The Traitors Ireland continues on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays on RTÉ One.
