Former Catholic Archbishop Richard Burke outside the Four Courts in Dublin
“Paul O’Higgins SC, for RTÉ, read a statement on behalf of the broadcaster which said RTÉ had said that in the programme it alleged Richard Burke had sexual relations with a girl, Dolores Atwood, who was under-age. RTÉ accepted it had incorrectly stated in the programme that Mr Burke had declined to be interviewed for the programme and for that it apologises, the statement said.”
“It said RTÉ acknowledged Mr Burke has “consistently and vehemently” denied the allegations and has done so throughout his evidence at the hearing. The statement said Dolores Atwood stands over her allegations and RTÉ considers her a sincere and honourable person. RTÉ and Mr burke agreed the matter is now closed.”
Ex-archbishop settles case against RTÉ over Mission to Prey (Irish Times)
Related: ‘Priest assaulted me when I was 13’ (Irish Examiner)
Celibate orders really do attract the strangest types of people. Its almost as if its an attractive sanctuary for deluded grandiose personalities with unusual urges who also like to travel . Or maybe I’m just being paranoid, never mind, a priest can babysit my kids any day (or night….) of the week. If anything weird happens, it just my kids lying. that’s all. damn kids, that’s a man of God , don’t you know. Lying a sin, stop lying… SLAP!
RTE knew they hadn’t a leg to stand on trying to defend that Mission to Prey garbage.
…RTE rolls over again…but sure it’s their money.
Apparently there was no only a contribution to the ex-Bish’s costs, no damages.
I don’t think you read the article; they didn’t retract or apologise for the actual claims, only for the fact they said he had declined to be interviewed when in fact his order had declined the offer.
+1. He’s still an alleged abuser.
He is, as dylad, says an alleged abuser. RTE invited a person on their programme to claim he was a paedophile and failed to actually offer him (directly) a right of reply.
At least this time around he got the opportunity to (vehemently) deny it.
Believe what you will from that. But the Mission to Prey programme was a clusterfock of journalism mistakes from start to finish.
If he looks like a paedo……