Childcare workers sue RTÉ for defamation

Two childcare workers are suing RTÉ claiming they were defamed in a Prime Time programme.

The two women claim they have been “left devastated” by the broadcast last May and have launched an action for damages.

Yesterday in the High Court, the workers, who have since lost their jobs, won access to the material shown to parents at a special RTÉ screening before it was broadcast on RTÉ1.

Sandra Kavanagh and Lisa Craddock were employed at the Links Creche, Abbington, Malahide, in Dublin, which featured in the Prime Time programme ‘Breach of Trust’ broadcast on RTÉ1 on May 28.

Ms Craddock, of Brookwood Glen, Artane, Dublin, and Ms Kavanagh, of Hawthorn Park, Forrest Park, Swords, Co Dublin, say they have been left devastated by the broadcast which they say alleged they were involved in the mistreatment of and allegedly having utter indifference to children in their care.

Both workers, who deny they engaged in such activities, were suspended and eventually dismissed by their employer following the broadcast.

Ms Kavanagh was not shown or identified in the main broadcast while Ms Craddock was not named and her image was pixelated out, the court heard.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross ruled on a preliminary motion stating the workers are entitled to be provided with certain material by RTÉ before their statement of claim, which gives the exact nature of the action, is served on the national broadcaster.

The material sought includes both the recording and the transcript of a version of ‘Breach of Trust’ shown to the parents of the children at the Links Creche before the programme was broadcast on television.

Frank Callanan, counsel for the workers, said his clients would be left at a huge disadvantage unless they were provided with the material they sought.

RTÉ counsel Mark Connaughton opposed the application for discovery. Counsel said there were no exceptional circumstances in this case and said the normal rules should apply. The two workers had ample material to submit their statement of claim, counsel added.

In his ruling the judge said the two workers are entitled to discovery of the material.

Mr Justice Cross ordered that discovery should take place in the next six weeks.