Irish broadcaster TV3 has apologised after comedian Andrew Stanley cracked a joke about 9/11 live on air.

The stand-up warned viewers in advance that the gag was controversial, and the station received no complaints over it. However, it still issued a statement saying: 'Andrew did make a joke, that wasn't very funny and not very tasteful. Although Andrew did warn viewers, TV3 apologises if it caused any offence to anyone.'

Stanley was on the network's Seven O'Clock Show last night when one viewer asked him to share the joke that gets the best reaction.

He admitted: 'I have one. It's kind of a controversial one. I'm debating whether to do this or not...'

Stanley then told the gag, which he said was about Irish people sticking up for each other: 'I saw two American girls walk into a bar on Grafton Street and order two Irish Car Bombs, which in America is a very popular student drink.

'The guy got really offended and said I won't make them for you but I'll make something else. So he got two shot glasses, filled them with sambuca, set them on fire and said, "There's your Twin Towers. Have a nice trip".'

TV3 added that hosts Lucy Kennedy and Martin King 'moved on as swiftly as they could' after the coment.