RTÉ apologise to Harte for offence
In a statement less than 36 hours before today’s All-Ireland quarter-final with Dublin, the Tyrone camp outlined the reasoning behind their refusal to give interviews to the national broadcaster this summer.
In a comedy sketch on The John Murray Show on June 9, Harte was impersonated by a mimic regarding the Tyrone manager’s issues with RTÉ about its treatment of journalist Brian Carthy.
However, it was felt the sketch was insensitive to Harte and his family just six months after the murder of his daughter Michaela.
Part of the Tyrone camp’s statement read: “Inappropriate references to the fact that the Tyrone manager Mickey Harte was associated with the Dali [sic] Lama conference in Limerick and the choice of the song “Pretty Little Girl from Omagh” will give you an indication of the complete lack of sensitivity the presenter in question afforded the Harte family and Michaela’s husband John McAreavey, in what remains for them a very difficult time.
“We hope that this statement clarifies for the general public why Mickey Harte, his management team and the players have chosen not to co-operate with RTÉ at this time.”
In response to the statement, RTÉ stated it “understands and appreciates” that the item offended Mr Harte.
“It is never RTÉ’s intention to knowingly offend any individual, and RTÉ sincerely regrets any offence caused. This sincere regret was immediately and personally communicated to Mr Harte by RTÉ management.”
A recording of the sketch, which had been posted on YouTube, was yesterday deleted from the website.
RTÉ also clarified they did not leak the contents of the letter sent to them by Harte and six other managers asking for a meeting about Carthy’s treatment in Montrose.
