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Joe Duffy and Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD.
# Liveline
Joe Duffy apologises to Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh for 'defamatory comments' on Liveline
Duffy has acknowledged the “grave distress” caused to the Dublin South Central TD.
BROADCASTER JOE DUFFY has apologised on behalf of himself and RTÉ for “defamatory comments” he made about Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh on his Liveline radio programme.
The comments were made a number of days after last month’s general election during an edition of the programme in which members of the public called to suggest ministers in a “fantasy cabinet”.
One caller speaking on the programme suggested Ó Snodaigh as a potential minister for defence.
In response to this caller, Duffy made an incorrect comment about Ó Snodaigh, stating: “Even though Aengus Ó Snodaigh has been found guilty of a public order offence involving the gardaí, but that’s in the past.”
After the programme returned from a subsequent ad break, Duffy retracted his previous comments and apologised, stating that he “read that piece wrong” and “it wasn’t Aengus Ó Snodaigh”.
Now, speaking on this afternoon’s programme, Duffy read out a lengthy apology to the Dáil deputy:
RTÉ and I unreservedly and sincerely apologise to Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD for the defamatory and unfair publication of comments and statements concerning Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, published by me on this programme on the 12th of February 2020.
RTÉ and I sincerely acknowledge and accept that Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD was not convicted of a public order offence involving members of An Garda Síochána or any criminal offence as stated by RTÉ and I.
RTÉ and I accepted that this publication in respect of Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD did not comply with good broadcasting standards, and in particular the standards required of a public broadcaster such as RTÉ.
RTÉ and I sincerely regret, apologise and acknowledge the grave distress caused to Mr Ó Snodaigh TD arising out of this broadcast.
The section of the programme where Duffy made the comments about Ó Snodaigh has also been removed from the RTÉ Radio Player podcast of the programme.
TheJournal.ie has sought a response from Sinn Féin about the above apology to the Dublin South Central TD.
