'We just want to say a huge sorry' - Muireann O'Connell apologises following Ireland AM blunder

Muireann O'Connell has apologised to fans after a "small glitch" resulted in Ireland AM going off air for over an hour.

The popular breakfast show on Virgin Media hosted by Muireann, Tommy Bowe and Alan Hughes, suffered a technical glitch on Tuesday morning which left viewers confused.

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At around 7.15am, after the first break, the three presenters were on there way to sit down and discuss Tuesday's headlines when screens went blank.

A message then appeared on screen that said, "We are currently experiencing technical difficulties. Normal service will resume shortly".

In it's place, Virgin Media aired an episode of In for a Penny, hosted by Stephen Mulhern.

Ireland AM then returned to screens at approximately 8.20am which saw the presenters mid conversation with a guest on the couch.

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At around 8.30am, Muireann apologised to viewers saying,

"We just want to say a huge sorry for the disruption to the broadcast this morning," before explaining that they continued filming the segment, despite the glitch, so that viewers could watch it back on the Virgin Media player.

A message was also posted on Ireland AM's Instagram story saying, "Small glitch this morning. We're now back on air. Thank you for your patience while we sorted this out!"