Nike apologises for ‘Black and Tan’ trainers that evoke memories of notorious paramilitary unit

Retail displays in stores around the country directly describe the shoes as “Black and Tans,” although this is not the official name given by the shoe’s manufacturer.

A spokesman for Nike said: “This month Nike is scheduled to release a version of the Nike SB Dunk Low that has been unofficially named by some using a phrase that can be viewed as inappropriate and insensitive. We apologise. No offence was intended.” Ciaran Staunton, President of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform said: “Is there no one at Nike able to Google Black and Tan?”

The Black and Tans were World War One veterans recruited by the Royal Irish Constabulary as temporary constables and deployed in Ireland to help suppress the IRA uprising which led to the formation of the Irish Republic.

They became infamous for their brutal treatment of civilians including women and children, burning and sacking towns and villages in revenge for IRA assassinations.

Much of the centre Cork was destroyed by the Black and Tans after a constable was killed in the city in December 1920, and the force was condemned by the local cardinal who called them: “a horde of savages, some of them simply brigands, burglars and thieves.” “Black and Tan” remains a pejorative name for the British security forces to this day in Ireland.

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