Coveney attacks RTÉ over Ahern soccer interview

NOT a ball has been kicked yet but already Fine Gael have cried foul on RTÉ’s coverage of the Republic of Ireland soccer boss.

The party’s communications spokesman, Simon Coveney, had a Dunphy-esque outburst after tuning in to the national broadcaster at teatime to find it had secured an interview with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern — and asked him about nothing else except Giovanni Trapattoni.

“What on earth were RTÉ at this evening?” demanded Mr Coveney. “I find it absolutely astonishing that, in the week that has seen an unprecedented High Court challenge by the Taoiseach that will frustrate and delay the work of the Mahon Tribunal, RTÉ chose to provide seven minutes of soft focus chat about the appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni.”