RTÉ paid for flights for Donie O’Sullivan to appear on Late Late before line-up change

Donie O'Sullivan (right) did not appear on Patrick Kielty’s first show and The 2 Johnnies appeared in his place, it is understood.

RTÉ paid for flights for Irish CNN journalist Donie O’Sullivan to appear on The Late Late Show only to change its plans at the last minute.

The Irish Examiner understands flights were booked with sources close to the show saying they could have cost as much as €2,000 or more for the Kerry native. Mr O'Sullivan did not appear on Patrick Kielty’s first show and The 2 Johnnies appeared in his place, it is understood.

The change to scheduling happened the same day RTÉ’s Director General Kevin Bakhurst announced a hiring freeze and stopped all discretionary spending at the national broadcaster as cost-cutting measures.

Mr Bakhurst, Executives and Board members appeared before the Oireachtas media committee two days before Kielty’s first show and told politicians that RTÉ is “managing finances carefully and working to cut costs in the face of declining revenue from the TV licence.” 

RTÉ has refused to comment on the loss of the cost of flights despite repeated requests for a statement on the matter from the Irish Examiner.

Kerry native and CNN journalist Donie O'Sullivan.

An RTÉ spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on editorial decisions however, we’re big fans of Donie O’Sullivan on The Late Late Show and we hope to have him on before the end of the season.” 

When asked again about the loss of taxpayer’s money on the flights, RTÉ said it would not be commenting further.

Sources close to The Late Late Show said the flights cost up to €2,000 or more and it was too late to reschedule or to change the flights.

The Irish Examiner first reported last week that executive producer Jane Murphy left the Late Late due to “tensions” behind the scenes.

Ms Murphy’s departure was described as “unprecedented” after she was given the top job in Irish TV production this year, having previously worked as a producer on the show and the Toy Show during Ryan Tubridy’s tenure. 

It is understood there was a differing of opinions over the guests booked for the show between Ms Murphy, Head of Entertainment Alan Tyler as well as Mr Kielty being sensitive to media coverage suggesting he had not asked boxer Carl Frampton questions about his links to the now defunct MTK boxing firm which was founded by crime boss Daniel Kinahan. 

Patrick Kielty on the new set of The Late Late Show.

Sources said staff also felt they were being “micromanaged” over decisions being made regarding guests.

Mr Tyler who joined RTÉ in 2022, has previously worked with Mr Kielty on several BBC shows over the past decade.

Mr Tyler informed the Late Late team and the entertainment department via email last Wednesday that Ms Murphy would no longer be working on the show.

In the email, seen by the Irish Examiner, Mr Tyler said Ms Murphy had done a “terrific job of overseeing the relaunch and moving the show into a new iteration with a new host”. 

“That is not easy, and it is great that this has landed so well,” the note to staff read. In a statement to the Irish Examiner on Ms Murphy’s departure, Mr Tyler said: "As a highly experienced executive producer, Jane Murphy worked on The Late Late Show for the past five months in pre-planning and production including taking Patrick and the show to air for the first four weeks.

“Now that the brand new series has been established she will be taking up a different role within television.

“I want to thank Jane for her steady stewardship and hard graft over the last five months to get the new show up and running and off to a great start. Myself, Patrick and the team are very grateful and have our heads down now in the flow of the new season.” 

An RTÉ spokesperson did not confirm what show Ms Murphy was moving to work on.

Mr Tyler announced that Roisin O’Dea will be returning to the  Late Late as executive producer.

Patrick Kielty pictured with The 2 Johnnies on The Late Late Show.

RTÉ recently commissioned a new six-part series with 2fm presenters Johnny McMahon and Johnny O’Brein, known as The 2 Johnnies.

The Tipperary duo’s new show called the Late Night Lock In was announced by RTÉ last month and the pair plugged the show on the Late Late with Mr Kielty.

Commenting on The 2 Johnnies new show last month, Mr Tyler said RTÉ couldn’t wait to bring the series to its audiences.