RTÉ claims 'Mission to Prey' did not say former archbishop was a paedophile

By Francesca Comyn
Newstalk
June 30, 2015

http://www.newstalk.com/Mission-to-Prey-RTE-Richard-Burke-defamation-denied-Prime-Time-paedophile

Former Catholic archbishop Richard Burke leaving the Four Courts in Dublin

Richard Burke is suing the broadcaster for defamation, which is denied

A High Court jury has heard RTÉ denies its documentary 'Mission to Prey' alleged former Catholic archbishop Richard Burke is a paedophile.

The ex-cleric is suing the broadcaster for defamation, which is denied.

Mr Burke (66) has admitted having sex with several women while a cleric, including Nigerian woman Dolores Atwood.

However he claims he was aged 40 and she was aged 20 when they first slept together in 1989 - and not 14 as RTÉ alleged in its 2011 documentary 'Mission to Prey'.

He is suing the station for defamation because he claims the programme wrongly depicted him as a paedophile, an interpretation rejected by RTÉ's senior counsel Paul O'Higgins.

He has told the jury RTÉ's defence is that the broadcast does not say Mr Burke was a paedophile - but that the former priest had slept with a 14-year-old girl and molested a 13-year-old girl.

Mr O'Higgins is cross-examining the former cleric.