96fm: Prendeville to stay off air until Garda probe ends

BROADCASTER Neil Prendeville, who performed a lewd act while travelling on an Aer Lingus flight from London to Cork, will remain off air until Garda investigations into the incident are complete, his employers have said.

Kieran McGeary, the chief executive of Cork’s 96fm and C103, broke the radio station’s silence on the matter and confirmed their biggest star will not return to work until the radio station’s own investigation and the Garda probe is complete.

Mr McGeary said: “This step allows both the radio station and the gardaí to complete their investigations into the matter. And I also think it’s important that there’s time for Neil and his family to be able to deal with the situation.

“There’s no doubt that there’s been an extraordinary amount of public interest in this matter. Here at the station we’ve heard from a lot of people expressing concern.

“But it’s fair to say we’ve also had significant support from the public for both the staff here and for Neil. And I’m very grateful for all the feedback.

“I don’t envisage at this stage that Cork’s 96fm will be making any further comment on this matter until the new year.”

Gardaí also declined to comment on speculation that Mr Prendeville has already given a statement as part of their investigation.

Mr Prendeville has been at the centre of controversy since details of the lewd act were first reported earlier this month. He exposed himself and masturbated on board an Aer Lingus flight from Cork to London on October 19.

Meanwhile, Mr Prendeville has stepped back from his association with the Boardwalk Bar and Grill restaurant on the city’s Lapp’s Quay which he opened with hotelier John Gately.

Mr Gately confirmed last night Mr Prendeville’s association with the restaurant has ended for the “foreseeable future”.

“Neil has gone away and we are looking forward to a really busy Christmas here,” he said.