A priest has been strongly criticised for comparing gay people to zombies.

Brother Tom Forde made the comments in a sermon at the Capuchin Friary in Kilkenny last weekend.

He spoke about "self-destructive and irrational behaviour", which he defined as "the abuse of drugs and alcohol, adultery, fornication and homosexuality, as well as in the acceptance of abortion and contraception and in the move to legalise euthanasia".

"We sense that many of those around us are physically alive but spiritually dead, morally rotten or at least infected."

He then made reference to the TV programme The Walking Dead and zombies, saying: "Once you are bitten you are infected and there is no hope. The only way to deal with the monsters is to stab or shoot them in the brain."

The Capuchin Order has expressed regret over the priest's comments.

Speaking on The Last Word, Colm O'Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International, described the comments as "dehumanising".

"That kind of hateful, deeply homophobic language emboldens those who would act violently towards LGBT people."

"Homophobia is still an issue in this country, and it's perhaps the starkest possible response to those who have been saying, 'Why do we still have Pride?'"

"We still have Pride because of this kind of hate, and we're going to need it for some time to come."

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.