RTÉ duped by spoof show prank about Harney quitting

A SPOOF TV programme aired on RTÉ raised few laughs among political staff at the national broadcaster after fuelling a rumour that the Health Minister was set to resign.

RTÉ was forced to issue a statement clarifying that Mary Harney was still in situ after Republic of Telly reporter Jennifer Maguire sparked rumours to the contrary while doorstepping politicians outside Leinster House. A tweet reporting Ms Harney’s department also made its way around.

The vox pops were meant as a spoof for the Republic of Telly programme which airs on RTÉ Two but RTÉ’s political correspondent David McCullagh was not amused.

It is understood Mr McCullagh remonstrated with Ms Maguire and made a complaint about it to RTÉ.

RTÉ then issued a statement on the News at One which read: “RTÉ Television wishes to clarify that during the recording this morning of an item for the satirical RTÉ Two show Republic of Telly, a suggestion was made that Minister for Health Mary Harney was rumoured to be resigning. RTÉ wishes to clarify that this was a prank and is untrue.”

A RTÉ newsroom source said the item was “massively inappropriate” given the seriousness of the predicament facing the country and that the minister has been the target of protesters recently.