‘He wasn’t being racist’: People in Ballymena voice their support for under-fire actor Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson admitted that he harboured violent thoughts about killing a black person after someone close to him was raped. Pic by Laura Hutton/PA Wire

People in Liam Neeson’s home town of Ballymena have spoken out in support of the under-fire Hollywood actor.

The 66-year-old has denied allegations of racism after sparking a public row with controversial comments made during an interview to promote his latest movie, Cold Pursuit.

He told The Independent how almost 40 years ago he had walked the streets of a city armed with a cosh, with thoughts of killing a black man in revenge for his friend being raped by a black man.

Responding to widespread criticism, Mr Neeson told US talk show Good Morning America that he had had a “primal” desire for revenge. But he denied being a racist, claiming he would have had the same reaction if his friend had said she’d been raped by a white man.

Mr Neeson, who was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Ballymena in 2013, sparked an outcry with his initial remarks. But shoppers in the Tower Centre today voiced their backing for the town’s most famous son.

Linda Carson from Glengormley commented: “I think he did what he did out of anger. He’s not that kind of person I don’t think.

“He has been a nice guy all these years so I think he did what he did, but he regretted it immediately.”