Irish Twitter users were left irate after a Sky News chyron informed viewers that four new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Ireland brought the “total number in the UK to 91.”
A clip of the chyron was posted by a user on Twitter, who aptly noted that new cases of the virus in Ireland do not in fact increase the “UK total” — since, as most are probably aware, the Republic of Ireland is not part of the UK.
— Anti Anti-Vaxxers 🦠👩🏻⚕️🇨🇦 (@DiorIzzy) March 5, 2020
It’s a running complaint among the Irish that UK media often ‘claims’ Irish sports stars, actors and other notable Irish exports as being ‘British’ — but at least now they seem to be “taking the bad with the good,” another person quipped.
“Anyone want to give Sky News a geography lesson?” another asked.
One person joked that since Leo Varadkar was still the Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland, this must also bring the “total number of prime ministers in the UK to 2.”
Ironically, the blunder came as Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were on a three-day trip to the island, leading another commenter to wonder whether the royal visit might be having “more of an impact than expected.”
The Sky News ticker tape reads, 4 new cases in Ireland bringing the total to 9 in the UK. It would appear William and Kate's trip has really been a distraction for a coup!🙄
