RTE issue grovelling apology to Father Kevin Reynolds

[Third Recount]

Its allright. The licence payers have plenty money to fund R.T.E.s recklessness

[TaraStreetHeadbanger]

Can anybody tell me how i could access the broadcast of this current affairs programme? Thanks,

[ManfredJudge]

Can anybody tell me how i could access the broadcast of this current affairs programme? Thanks,

You cannot. The link will just take you to a picture of Bosco. 9To remind us that yes RTÉ once hired real competent broadcasters.)

[escoline]

RTE were wrong. They have ruined a man's life. You know the story no smoke without fire etc. They should be ashamed of themselves and hopefully will be made pay dear .

[josey35]

Gerhard: Goes deeper than that I propose

O'Gorman, Rafferty et al

Haven't we noticed whats really odd or perhaps a coincidence?

Name me one victims campaigner (not linked to negatively critiquing Catholics) who is prominent in the media when abuse is discussed?

Give me one campaigner who is a household name and who thematically addresses abuse specifically emanating from another angle say???

the COI?
Youth work
Schools
HSE
Scouts
GAA

etc etc

I can't. All i hear is... abuse..cue Catholics.. cue the usual suspects above wheeled out..cue we can publish what we want as no one will stand up to the new dictators of public opinion..

[Odyessus]

The two are not quite as distinguishable as you portray. There may be a recklessness developing as to the accuracy of such reports that it is tantamount to an intention to deceive or at least an intention not to care one way or the other. There is no doubt but that this deserves further scrutiny by the newspapers.

That's a good point. It is hard to believe that RTE would have been so reckless with the truth if the subject had not been a Catholic priest.

[Lennon]

RTE need to realise that there are consequences for slandering an innocent man whose good name has been dragged through the gutter by RTE. Heads in RTE must now roll as a consequence. Those responsible in RTE for this outrage should be sacked immediately.

[louisb]

Interesting letter in IT, which can usually be quite vocal on such matters has been very very quiet on this topic. Media afraid they might encourage others to challenge agenda driven 'reporting'?
The Irish Times - Readers Letters and Feedback

[Odyessus]

Interesting letter in IT, which can usually be quite vocal on such matters has been very very quiet on this topic. Media afraid they might encourage others to challenge agenda driven 'reporting'?
The Irish Times - Readers Letters and Feedback

He makes a good point about Shatter:

A statement from Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said: “I share the widespread public concern and disgust at the revelations which the programme contained.” Why did the Minister, with many years experience of practice in law, speak of “revelations” rather than “allegations”?

There is some excuse for the media's silence since the matter is sub judice. It will be interesting to see media reaction when the case is settled.

[Kilbarry1]

Does anyone know who in RTE was responsible for ruining the life of Father Reynolds? Those responsible must be outed. They cannot be allowed to hide behind RTE and their grovelling apologies.

The current issue of Phoenix magazine (21 Oct - 3 Nov) names the RTE staff behind the "Mission to Prey" programme - in an article entitled "RTE Fears Record Defamation Award". The following is an extract:

"That Aoife Kavanagh, the journalist and presenter of the programme - entitled "A Mission to Prey" - was heading up her first investigative programme for the station, may be regarded as a factor in this car crash of a programme. But other, senior producers and editorial executives were also involved at various stages along the way. These include producer Mark Lappin; executive producer Brian Pearcair; Editor of RTE Current Affairs and PT, Ken O'Shea; and managing director news and current affairs Ed Mulhall, all of whom were involved at some level in the programme. As well RTE's legal department would have - and did - raise legal flags about the content, warnings that were ignored. The programme was broadcast on 23 May last and Lappin has since gone on to greater things in the London base of CNN. But the others remain at their posts in Montrose.

Normally I don't have a great deal of time for Phoenix and its frequently sneering tone. However it is worth recording that, when the Sunday World was forced to apologise for its obscene libel against Nora Wall, Phoenix was the ONLY publication to report the fact - on 8 November 2002. (Our "paper of record" the Irish Times ignored the apology and the award of libel damages to the former Sister of Mercy.)
Nora Wall, Paul Williams, Sunday World Libel, Sunday World Apology, "The Phoenix" magazine