Priest begins defamation action against RTÉ

A jury has been sworn in for a High Court defamation action by a priest against RTÉ for allegedly wrongly accusing him of raping a minor while in Kenya.

The 'Prime Time Investigates' broadcast called 'Mission to Prey' was aired on May 23 last.

Mill Hill missionary Fr Kevin Reynolds claims the allegations are scandalous and wholly without justification.

He is suing RTÉ for broadcasting the programme in which he says it was wrongly alleged that while he was a missionary priest he raped an underage girl who was a maid in a house he visited.

He says it falsely alleged he fathered her child, told her to keep it secret and paid for the child's education.

He claims that RTÉ advertised the show and it was referred to on 'Morning Ireland' and the internet.

The defamation action is expected to run for four days.