Al Porter
Mr Porter, who was charged under his real name, Alan Kavanagh, had denied sexually assaulting a young man at a venue in Dublin.
Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Diarmuid Collins, told Judge John Hughes that the prosecution was not proceeding any further and the charge could be struck out.
Mr Porter added that he had always denied any wrongdoing whatsoever in this case.
Due to recent developments, Al Porter is standing aside from his role in this year’s Pantomime Polly and the Beanstalk at the Olympia Theatre.
A replacement star will be announced shortly.
A statement released this afternoon by the Olympia Theatre.
Earlier: A Hospital Visit
From top: Al Porter; St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin
A former psychiatric patient has claimed that Al Porter, the broadcaster and comedian, groped and kissed him while visiting a hospital in 2015.
The student, who is in his mid-twenties and who asked not to be named, spent almost six weeks as an inpatient in St Patrick’s after he was diagnosed with depression. He had previously made a suicide attempt.
Blind Date star ‘groped me on psychiatric hospital visit’ (Mark Tighe, The Sunday Times Ireland)
“No allegations, complaints or concerns have been made to St Patrick’s Mental Health Services by service users or staff in relation to these matters, and the organisation has only been made aware of the allegations regarding Mr. Al Porter this morning through a Sunday newspaper.”
Statement from St Patrick’s Hospital.
Meanwhile…
The student whose experience with Al Porter was that he was groped and kissed by him when he was in a psychiatric hospital is one of the bravest and most impressive people I’ve dealt with in my time as a reporter with the Sunday Times. This young man spoke about being groped 1/3
— Mark Tighe (@marktigheST) November 20, 2017
when he was experiencing extreme weight loss and other symptoms of acute depression. We believed his story. It was an important one to publish especially given Porter’s well publicised comments on mental health issues. Some of Porter’s representatives on Saturday threatened 2/3
— Mark Tighe (@marktigheST) November 20, 2017
the ST with an injunction and an on-the-record denial from another celebrity. In the end there wasn’t even a statement. It was a stressful experience for this young man but he was steadfast throughout. Porter should give him a direct and full apology. 3/3
— Mark Tighe (@marktigheST) November 20, 2017
Top pic: Rollingnews
Earlier today.
Outside the Fire Restaurant on Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
Comedian Al Porter was unveiled as the host of TV3’s new dating show, Blind Date, this autumn.
Those who wish to take part in the lorra lorra laughs show, can apply here
*Pop*
Leah Farrell/Rollingnews
