WATCH: Paul Mescal breaks silence on viral Saoirse Ronan moment on RTE Late Late

Saoirse Ronan's comment during an interview on the Graham Norton Show a couple of weeks ago made international headlines

Gladiator II star and Kildare actor Paul Mescal broke his silence on the viral moment involving him and Saoirse Ronan on the Graham Norton Show in recent weeks on Friday night's RTE Late Late Show.

The Maynooth man was on the show speaking to host Patrick Kielty about his rise to fame and his latest role in Ridley Scott's Gladiator II alongside Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal.

During the conversation, host Patrick Kielty asked him about that Graham Norton Show moment which made international headlines a couple of weeks ago.

The incident happened when Mescal was on the Graham Norton chat show sofa alongside Denzel Washington, Eddie Redmayne and Saoirse Ronan.

A conversation about self-defence techniques turned light-hearted when Eddie Redmayne said that one common technique is to use your smartphone to hit an attacker in the throat. 

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Mescal joked that it's not the most practical advice, suggesting you may have to reach into your pocket and ask the attacker to "wait one second."

He said: "Who's actually going to think about that? If I'm getting attacked, I'm not going to go, 'phone'" as he gestured towards his pocket. As the guests and crowd laughed, Eddie Redmayne said, "that's a very good point."

Saoirse then commented, "that’s what girls have to think about all the time," leaving her fellow guests stunned into silence before she added, "am I right, ladies," drawing applause from the audience.

The moment received a huge reaction with many praising Saoirse for shining a light on the issue of violence against women and girls.

One comment on X at the time read: "Well done for saying it, Saoirse Ronan. End Violence Against Women & Girls."

"Saoirse Ronan is a queen. Men need a reminder what it’s like being a woman so they can appreciate their privilege. The silence after she said that speaks volumes," another said.

On Friday night's Late Late, Mescal said: "I'm not surprised the message got as much attention as it got because it's a massively important one.

"I'm sure you've had Saoirse on the show," he added, before saying, "she's quite often the most intelligent person in the room and I think she was spot on, hit the nail on the head. It's also good that messages like that are gaining traction as that's a conversation we should absolutely be having on a daily basis."

Viewers were great to heap praise on Paul's dignified response to the incident. One said: "Paul Mescal goes up in my estimation every time I hear him speak."