Gay Switchboard Director Adam Shanley uncovered a homophobic slur in an email thread from one of The T-Shirt Company’s employees when looking through an email from last year to place a new order with the company.

Looking through the old email, Shanley discovered that in an internal communication The T-Shirt Company employee, Tommy McKeever, used the slur ‘queer’ when referring to Shanley.

The Gay Switchboard Director took to social media to highlight this inappropriate and offensive language, highlighting the continued importance of Pride.

“Last year I was having tshirts printed for a fundraiser. I used ‘The T-Shirt Company’ – what I missed was his slur when I complained about [a] delay. Only spotted this now as I need tshirts printed for pride so I was going back through emails. He forwarded a thread he had with a colleague by accident,” Shanley wrote on Facebook.

It may only be a little word but it has impact when used in a derogatory manner

“We’ve come a long way in a short time but this shows that homophobia is still part of being LGBT in Ireland. Facing into the weekend ahead – If you’re wondering why we still need Pride – here’s an example.

Last year I was having tshirts printed for a fundraiser. I used @TheTshirtCo – what I missed was his slur when I complained about delay. pic.twitter.com/QaAgvSxJYn

— Adam Shanley (@Adlers1) June 23, 2017

“It may only be a little word but it has impact when used in a derogatory manner. I’ll be taking my business elsewhere today and I’ll walk the streets of Dublin proudly this weekend with my fellow LGBT+ friends & allies.”

The T-Shirt Company have replied to Adam on Twitter, indicating that this use of a homophobic slur is not in keeping with their attitudes and that they are “shocked and appalled” by their employee’s behaviour.

“Adam, we are shocked and appalled by this. This in no way reflects our attitude here. We will be investigating this matter and questioning the member of staff involved. We have made contact with you and will continue to update you,” the Dublin based company tweeted.

“We are keeping Adam up to date and we take full responsibility for this. It’s wrong on every level. We’re taking immediate + serious action,” said The T-Shirt Company in a follow-up tweet.With Dublin’s Pride Parade tomorrow, it is an

With Dublin’s Pride Parade tomorrow, it is an unfortuante reminder that LGBT+ people still face discrimination in Ireland today.“We’ve come a long way in a short time but this shows that homophobia is still part of being LGBT in Ireland,” Shanley wrote on Twitter.

“We’ve come a long way in a short time but this shows that homophobia is still part of being LGBT in Ireland,” Shanley wrote on Twitter.