Monday, November 28, 2011

Family wants RTÉ to prove abuse allegation

The family of a now deceased Christian Brother, who was accused of child abuse in RTE's Mission to Prey programme, has accused the programme-makers of a breach of natural justice.

Siblings and other relatives of Brother Gerard Dillon have asked that either his name be cleared or that the single allegation made against him be proven.

The Dillons were writing in last Thursday's edition of "The Irish Catholic" newspaper.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte asked the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland earlier this week to investigate the Prime Time Investigates programme.

The circumstances that led to it being broadcast are also being investigated by RTÉ.

RTÉ's News Managing Director Ed Mulhall and Current Affairs Editor Ken O'Shea announced that they would stand aside for the duration of the BAI inquiry.

The broadcaster has also commissioned an independent assessment of editorial practice in its Television Current Affairs department.

Fr Kevin Reynolds was recently awarded undisclosed damages and received an apology after RTÉ wrongly accused him of sexually abusing a girl and fathering a child in Kenya.

The next series of the Prime Time Investigates programme, which was due to air in December, has been deferred until the reviews have been completed.