A unionist commentator and blogger has apologised after describing Stormont communities minister Carál Ní Chuilín as an "odious Provo hag".
Owen Polley posted the comment on Twitter after it emerged Ms Ni Chuilin had sent a letter to sporting bodies advising that it was "necessary to stop spectators from attending sporting events" following new coronavirus regulations.
First Minister Arlene Foster later said that fans are not banned.
Mr Polley wrote: "If you've got a ticket for an Irish League game, please go to the ground. We won't be told what to do by an odious Provo hag."
In a later post, he said he was "exceptionally angry" at Ms Ní Chuilín's letter but "should not have used the word 'hag'".
He later said: "I've deleted some intemperate tweets. I used language that wasn't acceptable".
The posts were condemned by Sinn Féin East Derry assembly member Caoimhe Archibald, who branded his comments as "vitriolic misogyny".
