The former director of the Gate Theatre has finally spoken about allegations made against him to say sorry, but also stresses that his inappropriate "behaviour should not be equated with sexual crimes".
Michael Colgan has been accused by over eight women of inappropriate conduct during his stint at director of The Gate.
The women claim they were insulted and made to feel degraded by his inappropriate behaviour and abusive language.
Mr Colgan’s public apology comes two weeks after a writer and theatre director, Grace Dyas stepped forward to claim on her blog that he once shockingly told her, out-of-the-blue, when he met her at a social event: “You’ve lost so much weight, I’d almost have sex with you!”
In a major 'Hot Press Interview' back in May, Mr Colgan admitted that probably 80 percent of the women that he worked with thought he was sexist.
Writing in yesterday's Sunday Independent, Mr Colgan stated: "Last March, when I left the Gate, I was convinced that I had done a good job, believed that I had been a good boss, and that I was liked by all the staff.
“Recent revelations have made it clear that this cannot have always been the case, and that over the years there were moments where, through misjudged behaviour, I caused upset to some of my co-workers.
“This realisation has been deeply distressing and I sincerely apologise to anyone who was every made to feel upset.
“I already knew that I was not politically correct, that I often sacrificed proper conduct for a punchline, and that, at times, could be too exacting as a boss.
“But realising that I have been responsible for causing distress to some of those with whom I works so closely has shocked me, and I am truly sorry.
“These realisations have come with great force and I see things differently now.”
Speaking on TV3 last night, Grace Dyas said: "I welcome that he has been considering his behaviour and I think maybe he needs to think a bit more about his behaviour.
“He says that he wasn’t aware of his behaviour, however I believe that he was made aware by several people in his own organisation that his behaviour was inappropriate.
“I myself told him that it was inappropriate on the night in question in The Oak bar.
“I said: 'Michael you can’t speak to me that way' - other people at the table also told him that what he was saying was wrong, inappropriate and an abuse of his power in his position in the community.”