MAJELLA O’DONNELL RESPONDS TO “NASTY” COMMENTS AFTER LATE LATE SHOW REMARKS — CLARIFIES PRIVATE JET MISUNDERSTANDING

Dublin, Ireland — Majella O’Donnell, wife of Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell, has spoken out after being targeted by online trolls following a lighthearted comment she made during RTÉ’s The Late Late Show on Friday night.

The couple appeared on the program to support St. Vincent de Paul’s annual charity appeal, which went on to raise an extraordinary €700,000 thanks to the generosity of Irish viewers. However, what began as a successful and heartwarming appearance quickly became clouded by a social media misunderstanding.

During the interview, Majella joked that flying from Donegal to Dublin felt “like being on a private jet” because there were only a few passengers on board. Some viewers, however, took the comment literally — accusing the O’Donnells of extravagance and hypocrisy while promoting a charitable cause.

In a series of candid posts on X (formerly Twitter), Majella swiftly set the record straight. Responding to one fan who defended her, she wrote:
“At last! Someone with common sense! Of course we didn’t take a private plane!!! It was a joke because there were only three of us on the plane — it felt like a private plane. This flight operates every day to Dublin and has done for years.”

She also replied to another user, whose tweet has since been deleted, saying:
“No, we don’t actually [fly privately]! Just trying to do the right thing even though you get nasty comments like this.”

Supporters quickly rallied to her defense, praising her for addressing the issue with honesty and humor. One fan wrote, “You were just being yourself, Majella — don’t let the trolls win,” while another added, “Anyone who watched the interview could see it was clearly a joke.”

The backlash came as a surprise to many, especially given the O’Donnells’ long-standing reputation for humility and philanthropy. Both Daniel and Majella are known for their charitable work and community involvement, often using their platform to raise awareness for causes close to their hearts.

Despite the brief controversy, the couple’s Late Late Show appearance was a resounding success. Their warm conversation with host Ryan Tubridy inspired viewers across Ireland to donate generously to St. Vincent de Paul, with the total exceeding expectations.

Following the broadcast, Daniel and Majella shared their gratitude on social media, writing:
“This is incredible! We are so grateful to The Late Late Show viewers who continue to support the work of SVP. We know firsthand the difference this will make to so many people who are struggling at the moment.”

As for Majella, she has made it clear that a few online critics won’t dampen her spirit. Known for her quick wit and no-nonsense honesty, she ended her response with a smile — reminding fans that sometimes, a joke is simply a joke.

And judging by the outpouring of love that followed, most of Ireland is laughing — and standing — right beside her.