RTÉ ‘knew of TV show in 2004’

THE managing director of RTÉ Radio, Clare Duignan, told the High Court she had become aware of plans for Celebrity Bainisteoir about three years before a man who has now brought a legal action for damages against the station claiming it was his original idea and had allegedly been stolen by RTÉ.

Patrick Kinsella of Callowhill, Newtown, Co Wicklow has taken the proceedings against RTÉ and commissioning editor Grainne McAleer and producer Alice O’Sullivan together with Fiona Looney, a columnist with the Daily Mail group of newspapers. She is credited with being the creator of the reality show, which has now run for three series.

Mr Kinsella is claiming damages and says his idea is worth millions.