Station faces payout to Harney over McCafferty gaffe

NEWSTALK radio station is facing a major payout to Health Minister Mary Harney over false allegations which were made live on-air about her health by the outspoken journalist, Nell McCafferty last week.

It is understood lawyers for Ms Harney will move to seek damages from the station over remarks by Ms McCafferty that Newstalk had admitted were “untruthful” and “deeply hurtful”.

Newstalk were forced to issue an apology to the beleaguered minister in the middle of the Tallaght Hospital controversy last Thursday after the veteran journalist and feminist made her comments during an interview on the Tom Dunne Show.