Gay rights group criticise watchdog

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has been criticised by a gay rights group for upholding a complaint against RTÉ Radio’s Mooney show which accused presenter Derek Mooney of "making several statements implicitly and explicitly supporting same-sex marriage".

The broadcast, on January 20, marked the release of figures for the number of civil partnerships which had taken place since legislation was introduced in 2011. It featured two guests, former RTÉ news presenter Michael Murphy and Tiernan Brady of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen).

The complaint to BAI was made by Dónal O’Sullivan-Latchford of the Family and Media Association, who said the two guests, along with Mr Mooney who has spoken about being gay himself, “made several statements implicitly and explicitly supporting same-sex marriage”.