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RTE to repeat Kevin Reynolds apology tonight

The state broadcaster will repeat the apology this evening after viewers expressed concern over the quality of the initial apology.

Image: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

RTE IS TO repeat the apology to Fr Kevin Reynolds tonight after concerns were expressed by viewers regarding the quality of the initial broadcast.

An apology was read out to the priest during a number of prominent current affairs programmes on RTE television and radio last week.

Earlier this week the  Association of Catholic Priests expressed disappointment in how RTE’s apology was broadcast on television and radio, citing “poor quality delivery” which “seemed to imply a lack of sincerity about the content”.

Tonight’s apology will be aired directly after the Nine O’Clock News on RTE One.

The broadcaster apologised publicly to the priest after a Prime Time Investigates programme alleged that he had raped a teenage girl in Kenya in the 1980s and fathered a child with her.

In a libel action taken by Reynolds, RTÉ accepted that the allegations were baseless, without any foundation and untrue. The broadcaster also paid undisclosed damages to the priest.

Read more: Catholic priests group accuses RTÉ of insincerity over Fr Reynolds apology >

Read more: RTE responds to ‘unsubstantiated’ allegations claim >

Read more: Senior management at RTE to step aside during Fr Reynolds inquiries >

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Comments (20 Comments)

  • i wonder will they say it like they meant!! last one was like forcing an apology from a toddler.

    Reply
  • A bit rich coming from the church.. Wish they were as sincere in their apologies to victims of abuse from some of it’s priests and nuns. Still, that aside, RTE committed a horrendous error.. Shameful.

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    • @yvonne there is no parallel with the church situation. This is a man, who was accused of being a rapist and fathering a child, who also happens to be a priest. RTE have to issue the apology as part of the settlement with this man as an individual.

      Reply
    • I couldn’t agree more, no matter of your thoughts of the church, heads need to roll. I pay my license fee for balanced, cutting edge journalism, but above all the truth. To accuse someone wrongfully of such a heinous crime, with them willing to prove scientifically that the accusation is incorrect is despicable. To then broadcast without proof, or indeed without acknowledging his willingness to prove his innocence shows rte to be more interested in ratings/publicity than fact, and I don’t think I’m alone in saying that is not how I want my tv licence spent.

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  • Not so FAST this time. A little S-L-O-W-E-R , and with FEELNG!

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  • Not ’till the director general climbs Croagh Patrick with Inda and Trap naked and barefoot while reciting the rosery in Swahili and twelve alterboys throwing rocks at him will I be happy.

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  • Eire 25/11/11 #

    RTE think that the Church & the Republican movement are fair game …….& to be honest current & past Governments probably where happy with that been the status quo , with all that old sticky influence in RTE Dublin 4…. it’s only down to public outcry when seeing an innocent man was been publicly humiliated judged Jury & executed by RTE Journalists for their own amusement & agenda that RTE are bending ……No apology is enough heads need to Roll & in my view..I watched that programme on Fr Reynolds Prime Time Investigates & I judged that innocent man & priest on the say so off the Journalists , Producers & Director General….I am sorry I judged that man because of the influence trust & faith I had in RTE journalism …….What else could they have been wrong about? What past agenda’s have RTE had…..Have we as a people been duped by an influence we allow into our houses & cars be it TV or radio

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  • Huey 26/11/11 #

    RTE are going to start their own apology channel.

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  • That priest may well have got his apology and compensation but the damage is done. His life will never be the same again. People judged him because of recent scandals and the sad thing is, looking at the bigger picture, majority of Irish people mistrust the clergy despite the fact that a minority were the ones who did the heinous crimes. I hope he finds some peace

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  • RTEs defamation of this man is awful, but
    why no apology, enquiry or suspensions for the Frontline’s use of a fake Shinner propaganda tweet?

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  • Sorry I missed it ! Not .The man was wrongfully accused and that is not ever good but he got his day in court , he was apologised to and he was compensated ,and now he is getting another apology because it was spoken t o o f a s t the last time . Give me a break.This is pure nonsense. .Then again the Catholic Church is obviously dictating and calling the shots in this enlightened country of ours .

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  • Apology must of been too fast again……missed it…..well there’s always tomorrow…..yawn…..

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  • Christine. Do you happen to know when tonight thus will be broadcast?

    Reply

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