RTÉ rebuked for comments ’offensive to women’

RTÉ has received a dressing down for remarks fashion designer Paul Costelloe made on air that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland found offensive to women.

Mr Costelloe, 69, caused anger during an interview on RTÉ Radio One’s The Business show in February when he spoke of young Irishmen in London “damaging” English virgins.

The designer, who lives in London, was speaking about the Irish in Britain. He said: “Certainly the Irish are never short of chatting up and, you know, we have that skill and I’m sure these young guys are doing great and damaging a lot of young English virgins, so there you are, and good luck to them.”