Senator says Morrissey car scandal is a “farce”

Labour Senator Marie Sherlock has said that the revelation that Marty Morrisey was the mystery RTÉ personality who had loaned a car for five years “throws RTÉ into greater disarray.”

Senator Sherlock says the incident “brings into question evidence provided by acting DG Adrian Lynch at the Oireachtas Media Committee.”

“The DG informed the committee that said car was returned on Tuesday return of the vehicle in question, whereas the RTÉ Sports reporter identified a date in June in his statement.”

“Frustratingly, this will generate a frenzy of speculation about what other car deals were agreed and is another sucker punch to staff. What is crucial here is that the drip feed of information and inconsistency of detail brings the RTÉ crisis into a new level of farce.”

Marty Morrissey statement pic.twitter.com/2b4gdwhOUE

— Marty Morrissey (@MartyMofficial) July 6, 2023

“This comes after RTÉ chair Siún NÍ Raghallaigh admitted yesterday that she suspects more revelations are to come.”

Senior RTÉ figures have appeared before the Oireachtas committee as the scandal-hit broadcaster has been asked to explain incongruities in their finances.

“Incoming DG Kevin Bakhurst made a commitment today to execute a plan of action to move RTÉ out of crisis when he takes up the role next Monday. One of his first acts must be to re-affirm RTÉ editorial standards and conflict of interest guidelines. This must involve staff and management upholding these standards every single day.

“Over the past two weeks, we have learned of a serious absence of accountability and responsibility among some in RTÉ which is deeply shocking and damaging to RTÉ,” Senator Sherlock added.

Minister Catherine Martin said on Thursday that she had attended a “constructive” meeting with senior management at RTÉ, but has called on the broadcaster to regain the trust of the public following the recent revelations about barter accounts and superfluous spending.