RTÉ angered by leak of BAI report details

RTÉ has accused members of a media watchdog of undermining regulations after documents about the inquiry in the Fr Kevin Reynolds defamation scandal were leaked.

According to briefing papers from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), standards of journalism in the state broadcaster have been severely criticised.

RTÉ has already pulled the award-winning 'Prime Time Investigates' off air for good over its 'Mission To Prey' programme, which falsely claimed Fr Reynolds raped a minor in Africa and fathered a child.

The broadcaster has seen head of news Ed Mulhall retire in the fallout.

Findings on the affair by former BBC controller in Northern Ireland Anna Carragher were handed over last Thursday but RTÉ has up to 14 days to respond with submissions and seek an appeal in the High Court or an oral hearing.

Kevin Dawson, RTÉ’s head of corporate communications, declined to comment directly on the findings but said the leaked information may prejudice the station’s response.

“RTÉ wishes to express its disappointment that this report has leaked in circumstances where it prejudices RTÉ’s response to the investigation, within an ongoing process, and prejudices the response of the programme makers as named individuals,” he said.

“If fair regulatory procedures are to apply, RTÉ and the production team must be allowed to make submissions to the BAI in response to the report, within the process.

“The leaking of the report has undermined that process. RTÉ will continue to observe the process, as it is required to do.”

Mr Dawson said the station would give an absolutely full account in due course.

Among the criticisms of the programme makers and the station, it is understood the inquiry has singled out grossly inadequate notes by the editorial team, an almost complete absence of documentary evidence, a lack of scrutiny by the production team and a failure to question colleagues.

The BAI has refused to comment on the leak.

But it is understood the watchdog has also found that the 'Prime Time' documentary was unfair to Fr Reynolds and in breach of his privacy.

Late last year, Mr Mulhall and Ken O’Shea, who last month resigned as current affairs editor to move into a new role at RTÉ Two, stepped down temporarily while the independent inquiry into the damning errors at the flagship investigative series was carried out.

The pair stood aside after Fr Reynolds sued the broadcaster over the 'Mission To Prey' programme, which aired on May 23 last year.

Fr Reynolds accepted an out-of-court settlement reported to be in the payout range of €750,000 up to €5m.

RTÉ is also facing a fine of up to €250,000 for the defamation.

'Prime Time' executive producer Brian Pairceir and reporter Aoife Kavanagh have been off air since the inquiry began.

It is widely expected some figures involved in the broadcast will consider legal action over some findings.