IRELAND
The Guardian (United Kingdom)
Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 3 April 2012
Several key figures in Irish state broadcaster RTÉ have retired or resigned ahead of what is expected to be a damning report into the libelling of a priest the station falsely accused of rape and fathering a child in Africa.
The retirements and resignations will be followed by a further major complaint of alleged editorial bias against defeated Irish presidential candidate Seán Gallagher. A second report is due which will examine Gallagher’s claims that biased coverage on the Frontline debate show cost him his lead in the opinion polls in the final week of last autumn’s election.
The false allegations against Fr Kevin Reynolds cost RTÉ €1m in libel damages after the investigative Prime Time Investigates programme Mission to Prey ignored internal legal advice that the priest was ready to take a DNA test to prove the claims against him were wrong.
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