It has the nation talking.
RTÉ interviewed Michaella McCollum regarding her release from prison in Peru, having spent two-and-a-half years behind bars when convicted of smuggling nearly €2 million worth of cocaine through Lima airport.
The 23-year-old Tyrone woman has been released less than halfway into her six years and eight months sentence and, although she must remain in Peru for the time being, RTÉ paid her a visit to discuss the last couple of years.
It made for intriguing viewing and Twitter was alive with response.
Take a look.
https://twitter.com/mrstephendaly/status/716739198284341248
https://twitter.com/marcallanan/status/716739355260428288
Didn't have enough money for a rent deposit so went to Ibiza for a two month holiday ! Is she for real?! #MichaelaMcCollum
— Conroy (@conroyshane) April 3, 2016
10/1 she ends up as a guest presenter on Xposé. "Her new hair is fab!"#MichaelaMcCollum
— Jim Nugent (@JimJimNugent) April 3, 2016
Interview approach worse than my hairstyle but ultimately she's ruined her own life, won't reoffend & danger to nobody. #MichaelaMcCollum
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) April 3, 2016
When all is said and done,yes she lied,yes she was very stupid,but most of us were idiots at 20.She deserves a 2nd chance #MichaelaMcCollum
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) April 3, 2016
Tone of this interview: where's the bun gone ya wee scamp?😉 Tone it needs to be: WTF WERE YOU THINKING? #MichaelaMcCollum
— Paddy McKenna (@PaddyMcKenna) April 3, 2016
"Now love, I know you smuggled a couple of million quid's worth of cocaine, but everyone is talking about your bun. Mammy" #MichaelaMcCollum
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) April 3, 2016
I suppose you have a lot of time to get your story sorted and on how you'll deliver it when in prison #MichaelaMcCollum
— Anne Mc Coy (@annemccoy) April 3, 2016
Is it just me or does she come across as knowing exactly how to address a camera? It's almost like she did a course in it #MichaelaMcCollum
— PJ Coogan (@pjcoogan) April 3, 2016
I never thought I'd hear someone describe being imprisoned in Peru for drug smuggling as a growth opportunity #MichaelaMcCollum
— Leslie Ann Horgan (@LeslieAnnHorgan) April 3, 2016
Uneasy watching #MichaelaMcCollum interview should we give drug mules media coverage/celebrity etc. Or was she just v young & vulnerable?
— June Shannon (@juneshannon) April 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/nlano06/status/716726301567148032
She's well tutored, well coached, well rehearsed I'll give her that #MichaelaMcCollum
— PJ Coogan (@pjcoogan) April 3, 2016
Bleached white teeth,dyed hair,lovely new clothes, #MichaelaMcCollum is determined to enjoy her 15 grubby minutes,good job @rte @davenally1
— Ken Mc Fadden (@unspeakable28) April 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/LouisVanJoke/status/716736394396360705
Very soft interview, I agree. But also a young girl who got dragged into something and couldn't escape. Feel sorry for her #MichaelaMcCollum
— andrew knowles (@andrewknowles10) April 3, 2016
Redemption should be available to all #MichaelaMcCollum
— Don Quixote (@ronportnoir) April 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/paddys1988/status/716739990831632384
Id have more respect for her if she admitted she did it for the cash and not blame her age 🙄 #MichaelaMcCollum
— RachyMG (@rachaelmgoggins) April 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/dunnesimon84/status/716739806227787776
Depressingly I already have the line "could Michaela please come to the diary room" in my head #MichaelaMcCollum
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) April 3, 2016
Cover image via IrishCentral.
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