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RTÉ

RTÉ actions are 'premature', says lawyer for Fr Kevin Reynolds

Robert Dore said neither himself nor Fr Reynolds had been contacted during the BAI investigation.

THE LAWYER REPRESENTING Fr Kevin Reynolds has criticised the measures announced by RTÉ yesterday over the Prime Time Investigates programme A Mission To Prey.

Robert Dore said the actions were “premature” as the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has not yet released its final investigation into the programme, which defamed Fr Reynolds.

RTÉ announced yesterday that the Prime Time Investigates series would be permanently shelved, while two executives left their positions over the BAI investigation.

But speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Dore said:

RTÉ have all along maintained that they would not take any steps pending the decision of the BAI and its report. Perhaps they’ve already got the report, but as far as I’m aware they haven’t. But they’ve chosen to take the steps that they have and I believe that’s premature.

He also dismissed the removal of the Prime Time Investigates brand as “probably cosmetic”.

Dore said that the BAI had not contacted either himself or Fr Reynolds during the course of its investigation.

RTÉ said yesterday that reporter Aoife Kavanagh and executive producer Brian Pairceir, both of whom worked closely on the A Mission To Prey programme, will not be the subject of any decisions until the BAI report is published in full.

More: RTÉ decides to axe Prime Time Investigates>

What happens to the rest of the ‘A Mission To Prey’ crew?>

RTE brought in new journalism guidelines – what’s in them?>

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