Irish media - The race to the bottom

Christ is this what has become of the Irish media and our state broadcaster. Getting as bad as the red tops in the UK these days.


On the evening of the 23rd May 2011, RTÉ broadcast a Prime Time Investigates programme entitled "A Mission to Prey".

Before this broadcast Prime Time conducted an interview with Fr. Kevin Reynolds, the then parish priest at Ahascragh in Galway.

This interview took place beside the parochial house
after the annual First Holy Communion Mass.

During this interview allegations were made against Fr. Reynolds. He immediately protested his innocence and denied all the allegations.

Between the interview and the broadcast, Fr. Kevin Reynolds, through his Solicitors, repeated his protestations of innocence, asked RTÉ not to broadcast the interview and volunteered to
undergo a paternity test.

Prime Time duly broadcast the programme accusing Fr. Reynolds of raping a minor named Veneranda while he was a missionary in Kenya and fathering a child named Sheila as a result of this rape.

He was also accused of secretly providing funds to Sheila.

Both Veneranda and Sheila were interviewed in the programme to corroborate the allegations.

As a result Fr. Kevin Reynolds was obliged to stand down from ministry and was removed as the parish priest of Ahascragh. He had to leave his home and his parish.

He was compelled by the actions of RTÉ to institute High Court defamation proceedings to vindicate his good name and reputation.

RTÉ acknowledges that the material in the programme concerning Fr. Reynolds ought never to have been broadcast.

RTÉ now fully and unreservedly accepts that the allegations made by Prime Time against Fr. Kevin Reynolds are baseless, without any foundation whatever and untrue and that Fr. Reynolds is a priest of the utmost integrity who has had an unblemished 40 year career in the priesthood and who has made a valuable contribution to society in Kenya and Ireland both in education and in ministry.

RTÉ acknowledges the defamation has had a devastating effect on Fr. Kevin Reynolds, his family, his peers, his parishioners in Ahascragh, those in the diocese of Kakamega in Kenya who were aware of the allegations and all those who know him or of him.


RTÉ fully and unreservedly apologises to Fr. Kevin Reynolds for this defamation and deeply regrets the serious consequences suffered by him. He was entirely innocent of the allegations
broadcast about him.

Due to the reckless behaviour of RTE I am sure Fr. Reynolds will be paid a handsome amount and deservedly so.But instead of the taxpayers paying it it should be taken from all staff in RTE who contributed to that lowlife excuse of a programme.

This kind of thing goes on all the time with that programme but everything that's broadcast is taken as gospel, no pun intended. You will always get a few talking heads that will say the things that will slant any topic the way they want it slanted. Balance or fairness does not come into it.

Mind you on the religious side of things I have read a few older threads on here where people are only too willing to shoot down those in the cloth en masse. Maybe stories like this disgraceful one will make people reconsider this blanket approach.

Puke, liars and scumbags in one country are no different to liars and scumbags in another. Given free reign, there is no difference in the British and Irish media, as there are many, many dispicable journalists on both sides.

Earlier this week, the British Daily Mail published an article on the Amanda Knox verdict on its internet site. The article described the scene in court, and even provided quotations from key players. The only problem was that it was entirely fabricated, even to the extent that they had the wrong verdict (the article said she was found guilty!). Obviously this was prepared for release in the event of Knox being found guilty, and was published by mistake, but it would have been run had the verdict gone the other way, even though the entire thing was creative writing. It shows that the press have no interest in truth or facts. (article below)

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The media is not a business concerned with truth or facts; it is about money, and that is true in Ireland, Englands and everywhere else. They don't mind what they say or whose lives they ruin, so long as it sells and makes them money. Sadly, as there are a few decent journalists out there, but this is a business rotten to the core.

Parouisa wrote:
Mind you on the religious side of things I have read a few older threads on here where people are only too willing to shoot down those in the cloth en masse. Maybe stories like this disgraceful one will make people reconsider this blanket approach.

Are you seriously telling me that one admission of wrongdoing from RTE should make people change their views from the many other admissions of wrongdoing and criminal comvictions passed down by courts of law on the actions of rogue priests, or the sluggish way the vatican acted in the aftermath of these proven findings? Come on, i feel disgusted on behalf of the priest whos name was sullied, however the Catholic Church to me is still tarnished massively and will have a lot to do to clear that!

bald eagle wrote:

Parouisa wrote:
Mind you on the religious side of things I have read a few older threads on here where people are only too willing to shoot down those in the cloth en masse. Maybe stories like this disgraceful one will make people reconsider this blanket approach.

Are you seriously telling me that one admission of wrongdoing from RTE should make people change their views from the many other admissions of wrongdoing and criminal comvictions passed down by courts of law on the actions of rogue priests, or the sluggish way the vatican acted in the aftermath of these proven findings? Come on, i feel disgusted on behalf of the priest whos name was sullied, however the Catholic Church to me is still tarnished massively and will have a lot to do to clear that!

Agreed, the lack of remorse and reform from the Catholic church is sickening. there may well be a vast majority of good people involved in the Catholic church but it doesn't take away from the abhorent acts their members committed to the most innocent and vunerable members of sociey which they chose to just sweep under the rug rather than deal with.


I am sure there was plenty of decent men in the Nazi party or South African National Party but it doesn't make the acts committed by those organisations any less reprehensible


These priests and other representatives of the church are part of an organisation that is morally bankrupt, whether they are good eggs or not i don't particularly care

[quote="bald eagle"]

Parouisa wrote:Are you seriously telling me that one admission of wrongdoing from RTE should make people change their views from the many other admissions of wrongdoing and criminal comvictions passed down by courts of law on the actions of rogue priests, or the sluggish way the vatican acted in the aftermath of these proven findings? Come on, i feel disgusted on behalf of the priest whos name was sullied, however the Catholic Church to me is still tarnished massively and will have a lot to do to clear that!

I am telling you nothing of the sort. I am saying that people should not draw blanket conclusions and make generic judgments on people involved in religious activity or in general. The guilty should certainly be punished and as severely as possible.

And Puke by your last paragraphs it seems that you don't really care about Fr Reynolds at all despite starting this thread because that is exactly what you have just said. Weird.

[quote="Parouisa"]

bald eagle wrote:

Parouisa wrote:Are you seriously telling me that one admission of wrongdoing from RTE should make people change their views from the many other admissions of wrongdoing and criminal comvictions passed down by courts of law on the actions of rogue priests, or the sluggish way the vatican acted in the aftermath of these proven findings? Come on, i feel disgusted on behalf of the priest whos name was sullied, however the Catholic Church to me is still tarnished massively and will have a lot to do to clear that!

I am telling you nothing of the sort. I am saying that people should not draw blanket conclusions and make generic judgments on people involved in religious activity or in general. The guilty should certainly be punished and as severely as possible.

And Puke by your last paragraphs it seems that you don't really care about Fr Reynolds at all despite starting this thread because that is exactly what you have just said. Weird.

I have sympathy for any man that is slanders or defamed in the manner in which he has but i have no respect for man's vocation or the organisation he represents.

The Puke wrote:I have sympathy for any man that is slanders or defamed in the manner in which he has but i have no respect for man's vocation or the organisation he represents.

Grand. That makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

[quote="The Puke"][quote="Parouisa"][quote="bald eagle"]

Parouisa wrote:I have sympathy for any man that is slanders or defamed in the manner in which he has but i have no respect for man's vocation or the organisation he represents.

I agree how could anybody have respect for RTE.

[quote="Parouisa"]

bald eagle wrote:

Parouisa wrote:Are you seriously telling me that one admission of wrongdoing from RTE should make people change their views from the many other admissions of wrongdoing and criminal comvictions passed down by courts of law on the actions of rogue priests, or the sluggish way the vatican acted in the aftermath of these proven findings? Come on, i feel disgusted on behalf of the priest whos name was sullied, however the Catholic Church to me is still tarnished massively and will have a lot to do to clear that!

I am telling you nothing of the sort. I am saying that people should not draw blanket conclusions and make generic judgments on people involved in religious activity or in general. The guilty should certainly be punished and as severely as possible.

And Puke by your last paragraphs it seems that you don't really care about Fr Reynolds at all despite starting this thread because that is exactly what you have just said. Weird.

People who make sweeping assumptions are fools and sont deserve the time of day, i do not want to take this thread off topic and i do feel for the man who was wronged. The orginanisation he represents were once more powerful than the police in Ireland and the acts of those who abused the trust of their position, as well as those who covered up those acts have soiled the name of that particular religion, not those who represent it.

But if they have soiled the name of the organisation how can they not have soiled the names of those who represent it?

Parouisa wrote:But if they have soiled the name of the organisation how can they not have soiled the names of those who represent it?

Do you believe in guilt by association? Thats how your line reads. You know fine well that there were bishops hiding information, keeping quiet about complaints of abuse and moving suspected priests rather than deal with the problem that blew the church open!

Not all the priests were involved, nor all the bishops cardinals etc, but the amount of people in very high positions that abused, hid abuse or kept quiet about it have shamed the organisation as a whole, whether you like it or not! That aside, there are priests that do their job excellently, an not everyone thinks they are guilty of these acts, the name of the Catholic Church to me is lower than whales dung. You have your views and beliefs on religion, i have mine and il not slag you, or anyone else off for having them.

Media are the scum of the earth. Exist in their own little world yet have the power to destroy people and walk away. Innocent people. All these ar5eholes in our papers and radios who are they? Taximen have a better view of life. It is a scum profession and as they all race to the bottom is becoming scummier. Even in sport if ye notice. Kidney is God now - tomorrow he may be God again - a month ago he was useless. Judged by people who know fook all about anything, never mind rugby.

No amount of sympathy or monetary compensation can now repair the damage done to Fr Reynolds' life. Humanity is full of bandwagnoners who cannot - or will not - think or reason for themselves. No matter what happens now, there will always be people who will mutter "well, there must have been something in it", every time the affair is discussed. Justice is denied Fr Reynolds at this stage and forever because of the actions of bigoted, stupid people. While nothing can repair the damage done, if the courts in this country know anything about justice, the Primetime programme should be closed down and RTE should fire the people involved in the decision to air it.

No media outcry at the weekend. Circling wagons to protect their own. No mention of sackings at RTE. No word of pulling the Prime Time programme. A fooking disgrace. I don't suppose Joe on WHineline would cover it either. Sickening.

It was discussed in the Seanad yesterday
(don't know why but I ended up channel surfing and hit on Dail today or whatever)
The local senator Mullen ? made a strong representation on it
The chairman advised that he was advised that the matter could not be discussed as the matter was before the high court.

A good argument was made that RTE are hiding "behind the institution" ie in effect exactly what they accuse the church of. but the ceann chomairle was having none of it and kept rambling about legal advice and one of the parties - Which it seems that RTE wrote and advise that it was inapproriate to discuss because it was before the courts etc etc.

I though there was such a thing as parliamentary priveldge but ?????????????

Tuned into Oireachtas Report again last night - Best show on Telly

The highlight

Shane Ross - Asks will the appointment of Kevin Cardiffs Successor be an open and transparent process - and make sure right man(woman) gets the job - most important job in the country etc etc

Kenny assures him it will and will be advertised internationally but notes he will not be taking Senator Rosse's advice from the last time a post of this nature became vacant

HE pulls out an article written by Ross in 2004 where he is giving out about the appointment of Burrows where Ross wrote - "Of course they would never consider somone who might be qualified for the Job such as Sean Fitzpatrick - who would be too dynamic for such a role"

I thought Miriam O'Callaghan's performance on the Primetime "debate" last night was despicable.
Perhaps she was following the RTE/Media line, to be more aggressive with Martin McGuinness, but her approach was bewildering to say the least..

Just a point worth noting on the affairs in Derrada wood in 1983 is that the abduction of Don Tidey was not a Provo/Sinn Fein matter. The INLA, under the control of the late Dominic McGlinchy, were the perpetrators of that sad event.

I was surprised that McGuinness didn't rebuff the Kelly chap in Athlone on the matter when he chose to raise it, but there again, he showed his statesman-like qualities by taking the hit...

Indeed he took it on the chin

Unlike Himmler - I didn't do that bit that was Goebells

I thought Vincent Browne's treatment of McGuinness was far worse. He was even pre-armed with half a library and yet no complaint was made. By any of the 33 viewers.

National Newspapers of Ireland had their back-slapping awards this week. Political gong went to Miriam Lord - a colour writer!!! Scoop??? of the year was the story about Michael Healy Rae making calls from his office to a celebrity TV show. Says it all really. How lucky are we to be served by our fine 5th estate.

Parouisa wrote:National Newspapers of Ireland had their back-slapping awards this week. Political gong went to Miriam Lord - a colour writer!!! Scoop??? of the year was the story about Michael Healy Rae making calls from his office to a celebrity TV show. Says it all really. How lucky are we to be served by our fine 5th estate.

Fair play to Eamonn Dunphy for walking from Newstalk for two reasons mainly, O'Brien's sacking of Smyth and orders that his programme must be more positive! Independent press how are you.

So fr Reynolds may rightly have got millions. Presumabley out of license fees so whose head will roll over this? Media quick to harange Cardiff but will they be as quick to harange there own or look for accountabilty? not bloomin likely. Hypocrits.

Hearing all these eulogies about the editor of the Sindo. Worst paper to ever hit the stands imo.