Interesting only if you mirror this back to the priests and the church. “Those responsible must face the consequences”. Do not be duped by what this is actually about and what is behind it. Of course this will be investigated and done in an open and transparent way. Will the church do the same?

And quiet right!!! That Priest had no reason to be defamed.

I think Prime Time is a great show, but I do know it’s used by people to settle scores against their foes. Criminals know that law enforcement is weak in this country so they can use PT to “Out” their enemies. I was directly involved in the fall out from one show a few years back. I knew the dudes who went down and I knew the dude who grassed them.
PT should check their sources as carefully as the scandals they expose.

Do you mean ‘their’ bulging, ‘there’ bulging or ‘they’re’ bulging?

And reckless and too and who….

I HATE MY I PAD

What is that about?

For those 8 red thumbs, I only hope suicide does not enter the equation in your family… B*******s

@Peter Carroll. Govt have a hold on national broadcaster since it’s inception. The editorial over and undertones witnessed every evening in the News should be enough for one to see this clearly. The reason….funding. It is not independently funded (as licence fee accounts for less than 30%) and that is always a source of conflict when an editor gets to a cutting room/editorial meeting. And ethos of agenda is the other leg this mishap of a broadcaster hobbles on unfortunately.

Having defamed the priest and put him through hell along with his family and friends, RTE had as a result of their stupidity to pay hundreds of thousands of Euro to the priest in damages and that has serious consequences for a lack of trust now by people in what is the national broadcaster. Of course those we elect to represent us have an obligation to investigate this and bring those responsible to book.

@peter the investigation is being carried under Section 58 of the 2009 Broadcasting Act. It’s a compliance audit that will be carried out by the BAI and not the Government. It is likely to be headed up by somebody from a legal background that will be appointed.

There is considerable disquiet amongst the public and licence payers about this matter. All the Government has done is shown some leadership and ordered an investigation on behalf of the people. This is a serious failing by our national broadcaster. It was also needed as RTE seemed to be taking no action themselved on the matter and seemed to be almost shrugging it off as “a bad day”. I have no doubt that in any other country some form of official “state” investigation would have been called for. Perhaps not in the USA where it seems Fox can say anything. Look at the UK where we are seeing considerable investigations into the behaviour of the press.

It is worth noting that Reynolds had no money to pursue this case in the courts. The case was taken “pro bono” by a solicitor. Had he not had this assistance he would have been unable to clear his name. So it is wrong to say that these matters can be cleared up in the courts. You can only do this if you afford it. Also had Reynolds not had a scientific way of proving that he was not the father of the child he would have had no defense against these allegations.

@RP RTE is independently funded by the license fee and commercial income. That’s why it’s called a license fee and not a tax (as others like to call it). The license goes straight to RTE though the Government has some sway over the setting of this fee. Previous governments have disliked RTE before which would seem to me that they retain independence.

How much will the Government enquiry cost !!! And is there any need for it ??? NO !!! They would be better off trying to fix this Country !!!

How would you feel if it were you?

Am I a priest in this? In that case, I would pursue every legal action possible against RTE and donate the money to charities dealing either with child abuse or rape. You know, get on the moral high horse that comes with the job… Would make me (and my Church) look extremely good and RTE extremely bad…

Who are the RTE authority??

Jimmy, I Agree that they should step aside, These people involved in making that programme didn’t just tell the facts, they dramatised the whole thing with scary music and dramatic images to give the most awful picture of this innocent priest. that was no ‘mistake’ That was deliberate badness.

Will the people on prime time investigates be paid while the programme is suspended.

Best of the week, Leo…

Oops Lou…

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