Veteran comedian Sil Fox said he believes that the #MeToo movement has gone a bit too far in his first interview since he was cleared of sexual assault in court today.
The 87-year-old entertainer walked free today after he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a bar in Dublin in December 2018, after he agreed to take a selfie with her.
Judge Paula Murphy delivered the ruling today after re-watching the CCTV evidence of the incident.
And Mr Fox gave his first interview to RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline today, where he claimed that "anyone" can be accused of sexual assault when in close quarters with another person, and that it is "not right".
"This Me Too movement I think that the women have, it's gone a bit too far," he said.
"Anybody can get into a photograph… and that person that you got in with can just claim that you did something wrong.
"And it’s you that goes to court, it’s your name that goes in [the newspaper], and it's not right."
The Funny Friday star was relieved that his experience with the case had finally come to an end.
"The weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders," he said.
"I just cannot believe it.
"I’m so over the moon at the moment, I’m so happy, and my life will restart I hope."
The complaint against Mr Fox was first heard in February 2019, and he spoke about how his career had been affected by the process.
"I haven’t worked a day since," he said.
"I know this coronavirus started [cancelling events] in March but I haven’t worked since last July.
"Sometimes I used to cry when I realised no one wanted to know anything about me.
"They all believed I was guilty.
"I always got the feeling I was a criminal when out and about, which I wasn't obviously.
"You lose what you've worked at and when that goes you begin to wonder what's left."
But retirement is not on the cards for him just yet, he confimred.
"As far as retirement is concerned, I’m going to try and get back out there, and be better than ever, if I get the chance," he said.
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