Colleagues at radio station back embattled broadcaster
The radio station’s chief executive, Kieran McGeary, had no comment to make on the incident involving its high-profile star.
But Neil Prendeville Show producer Colm Moore, a regular stand-in presenter on the station’s flagship weekday show, said he fully supports the embattled 49-year-old broadcaster.
Mr Moore is expected to present the show for the foreseeable future while Mr Prendeville takes time off.
Mr Moore said he could not start yesterday’s show without referencing the article in the Irish Examiner, published yesterday, which revealed how Mr Prendeville exposed himself on an Aer Lingus flight between London and Cork on October 19 last.
“It’s there for you if you want to read it,” he said as the programme went to air just after 9am.
“I’m not going to add to it, or indeed to Neil’s honest and heartfelt statement in our news this hour, safe to say that we offer him our overwhelming support here in 96FM.
“Both myself and Emer [O’Hea — the show’s senior producer] want him back in here and back on the air sooner rather than later. Neil has mine and Emer’s unwavering support.”
Mr Prendeville’s solicitor, Gerald Kean, said the incident is something the broadcaster “deeply regrets”.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Pat Kenny, Mr Kean said it is a “huge personal embarrassment for him and it is very difficult for not only himself but his family, his friends his employers and also his work colleagues”.
“Having said that he has got incredible support already from those all around him because they know it is totally out of character,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Irish Daily Mail, which sponsors his show, said it had no comment to make on the incident, or on the future of its sponsorship deal.
A spokesperson for the newspaper said as far as it is concerned, it is a matter for Mr Prendeville and for the radio station.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
