Radio station has to apologise for rumour comments

national | disability issues | news report Friday March 12, 2010 14:03 by Listener

stories about Ministers private life have been current for a while

A Dublin radio station was forced to issue a personal apology to Minister Mary Harney yesterday after claims about her private life were made on air. Harney's long trip to Australia and New Zealand and absence from the country during the X-ray crisis in Tallaght Hospital has been a source of controversy. You can hear the comments at the link.

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/ntddtntwvd--nell-mcc...arney

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However, the radio station was forced to make an unreserved apology to Ms Harney after Nell McCafferty made personal comments about the minister on 'The Tom Dunne Show'.

Bosses at the station immediately contacted Harney's office after the comments were aired.

Newstalk Radio chief executive Frank Cronin said "It shouldn't have happened. We don't support the comments that were made."

However, Nell McCafferty last night insisted she would not apologise to Mary Harney.
"I have nothing to add beyond what I have said. No, I won't apologise," she said.

It is not known whether Mary Harney has threatened legal action. Rumours about her private life have been doing the rounds for many years, but this is the first time they have come up on a radio show.