For some extra context on that link given it's a very old article: in modern discourse that word is quickly becoming the Irish equivalent to the "n word" in the

For some extra context on that link given it's a very old article: in modern discourse that word is quickly becoming the Irish equivalent to the "n word" in the US (known in Ireland as the "k word"). Ireland being a relatively small country, with slightly less influence on international cultural norms compared to the US, I don't think the taboo around its use outside of Ireland will ever be quite as strong as it is for the "n word", but still... worth mentioning.