Watchdog criticised for not contacting priest

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has admitted that legislation did not prevent it from interviewing Fr Kevin Reynolds as part of its inquiry into the Prime Time Investigates programme which defamed the Galway priest.

It follows criticism by Fr Reynolds’s solicitor of the BAI yesterday over its failure to contact the priest during its investigation into the ‘Mission to Prey’ documentary on RTÉ.

Lawyer Robert Dore said it was “extraordinary” that neither he nor his client were asked for information by the BAI about their dealings with RTÉ in the making of the programme.