Scottish comedian Billy Connolly provoked an angry reaction from fans attending his show in Killarney, Co Kerry last night.

Connolly directed his ire at local photographer Valerie O’Sullivan, the in-house photographer at the INEC, in the Gleneagle Hotel complex, who was working at the venue.

People in the 2,000-strong INEC audience went on Facebook today to complain about the language used by the comedian as the photographer was taking pictures of him.

Some people in the audience said they first thought it was part of his show when they heard him telling her, in very abusive terms, to get out.

Ms O’Sullivan, from Killarney, was sitting on the steps in the auditorium, well back from the stage, when he made comments early in the performance, about photographers making money out of him.

Clearly shocked, she left the venue in tears and was too upset to talk to reporters today.

Mr Tadhg Moriarty, manager of the INEC, said they had received a number of comments and feedback, which they had passed on to Connolly’s management, and the INEC deeply regretted the upset caused to Ms O’Sullivan.

He said they held Ms O’Sullivan, an award-winning photographer, in the highest regard and considered her a valued friend and a brilliant photographer.

‘’We have contacted her directly and we do hope she knows the esteem in which we hold her,’’ Mr Moriarty stated.

Connolly’s management company has not commented on the controversy and attempts by reporters to contact the artist before he was due on stage at Cork Opera House tonight were not successful.