Speculation grows on return of Prendeville
Persistent speculation that Neil Prendeville will return to the airwaves next week was met with a wall of silence today.
After five months in exile, the radio star could be back in studio as early as next Monday.
However, 96FM and the station’s owners, UTV, have refused to confirm or deny the speculation.
Employees at the station are also in the dark and it was unclear if the issue would be discussed at a staff meeting planned for tomorrow.
The Douglas-based father of two was taken off the airwaves after 21 years with 96FM, after it was alleged that he committed a lewd act on an Aer Lingus flight from London to Cork on October 19.
Mr Prendeville accepted an incident happened, but said he had no memory of it after mixing alcohol and painkillers.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has decided not to prosecute.
Mr Prendeville and his solicitor, Gerald Kean, have not been available to comment on the issue in recent weeks and calls went unanswered today.
Chief executive of 96FM, Kieran McGeary said he would not be commenting on whether Mr Prendeville would return next week. It has been reported that he would be back in work next week and would address on air the issues arising from the Aer Lingus incident.
Mr Prendeville’s show had been the most listened-to talk show on local radio in Ireland, with almost 100,000 listeners each day.
Supporters of Mr Prendeville have indicated that he has suffered enough after the incident, which was covered by media across the world.
In his absence, the morning show has been replaced by ‘The Opinion Line’ with PJ Coogan.
