THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY of Ireland (BAI) has published its final report into the RTÉ Prime Investigates Mission to Prey programme which libelled Fr Kevin Reynolds.

An investigation by the former BBC executive Anna Carragher has examined the programme which defamed the Galway priest, wrongly accusing him of fathering a child while a missionary in Africain the 1980s.

The broadcaster has subsequently apologised to the priest and paid undisclosed damages. Carragher’s investigation has examined how the Prime Time Investigates team complied with broadcasting rules and standards.

Read the BAI statement of findings here >

The report’s main findings include:

• Report said that “given the fact that Fr Reynolds is an ordained priest, currently in ministry, the impact upon his reputation was particularly severe”.
• There was a “significant failure of editorial and managerial controls within RTÉ”.
• BAI said “it is a source of regret that RTE did not choose to waive its claim to privilege in the solicitor/client relationship between itself and its in-house legal staff.”
• RTÉ fined €200,000 over a break of Section 39(1) (b) and (e) of the Broadcasting Act.

Read the BAI report in full >