RTÉ seeks savings by shutting Washington DC office

RTÉ is set to close its Washington DC bureau for at least four months in a further cost-cutting measure.

The national broadcaster will bring back its Dublin-born correspondent Richard Downes prematurely and will, it is claimed, advertise to replace him in September in time for the new year.

It is a further blow to the foreign desk, which was deprived of a permanent London presence last year.

Mr Downes moved to the US capital in May 2010, having previously worked the early shift with Morning Ireland.

It is highly likely that, when he returns to Montrose, he will be reassigned to Prime Time, following in the footsteps of one of his predecessors, Robert Shortt.

Mr Downes brought years of international experience with him to the US from his time at the BBC, Associated Press, and Reuters — roles that saw him posted to Iraq, Israel, and South Africa among other places.

His 2006 book, In Search of Iraq: Baghdad to Babylon, chronicled his time in the war-torn nation.

Since his transatlantic move, several big stories have crossed his desk, including Barack Obama’s re-election as US president last year, Hurricane Sandy, and the Boston Marathon bombings.

Closer to home, he was able to report back on the continuing tribulations of Anglo Irish Bank’s David Drumm, property developer Sean Dunne, and Cavan nanny Aisling Brady McCarthy, who faces trial next year for murder of a toddler in Boston.

Meanwhile, weekend reports have suggested that RTÉ is to reopen its London office, less than a year after it was controversially closed.

The closure saw its longtime London correspondent Brian O’Connell leave the station. He has since taken up a position at Concern Worldwide.

Reports indicated that RTÉ is to reconsider the operation, as it is still paying rent on its former London offices, having failed to secure another tenant to see out the remainder of the lease.