Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan has issued a stark warning following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, declaring that "they just created a million Charlie Kirks" in response to the killing.
The Father Ted creator, who recently faced arrest at Heathrow Airport over social media posts, took to X to condemn the political violence against the 31-year-old influencer.
"They couldn't beat him in debate, so they shot him," Linehan wrote on the platform.
The comedian went further, characterising the contemporary left as "antisemitic, homophobic, misogynist, intolerant and violent," adding that "everything they project onto the right, they are themselves."
Charlie Kirk speaking at a Utah Valley University, moments before he was shot | REUTERSLinehan also criticised those qualifying their condolences, stating that saying "I disagreed with him on some things" was a "pointless statement that just distances you from your own humanity."
The Turning Point USA co-founder was killed on Wednesday while addressing students at Utah Valley University, where he was launching his American Comeback Tour.
Mr Kirk was responding to an audience question about gun violence in America when he was struck in the neck by a single shot.
Law enforcement officials reported that the assailant, who remains at large, was dressed in dark attire and fired from a rooftop position at a considerable distance from the venue.
Graham Linehan shared a number of posts about Charlie Kirk's death
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The conservative commentator, who had been instrumental in Donald Trump's 2024 electoral victory, was conducting the event beneath a marquee in the university's courtyard when the attack occurred.
Mr Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika and two young children - a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
President Donald Trump led tributes to Mr Kirk on his Truth Social platform, describing him as "Great, and even Legendary" and noting that "no one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie."
Television presenter Jeremy Clarkson expressed unprecedented concern about his profession, posting on X: "For the first time in my life, I'm genuinely frightened about being a newspaper columnist."
LATEST CHARLIE KIRK DEVELOPMENTS:
Graham Linehan shared a number of X posts over Charlie Kirk's death
| PATalk show host Jimmy Kimmel urged unity rather than recrimination, asking if people could "just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human."
Actor Chris Pratt called for divine intervention, writing: "Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God's grace."
Piers Morgan condemned the killing as "an appalling assault on free speech and democracy."
Mr Linehan also praised former Vice President JD Vance's memorial tribute to Kirk, responding "Beautiful tribute" and noting with apparent admiration that Mr Kirk had achieved "all this in his twenties," calling him "clearly a political genius."
Graham Linehan was arrested earlier this month over X posts
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Former racing driver Danica Patrick diagnosed the incident as symptomatic of broader societal issues, stating on Instagram that America faces "an epidemic of mental illness" whilst offering prayers for Mr Kirk's loved ones.
Author Stephen King observed that whilst the gunman's motives remained unclear, the incident represented "another example of American gun violence," suggesting the perpetrator was likely "mentally unstable."
Former television personality Meghan McCain declared that Mr Kirk's assassination would not silence conservative voices, writing that his influence would remain "forever a blessing and memory."