After Golfgate, RTE awaits its fate
With four people being prosecuted over Galway golf event, Montrose chiefs now fear the worst over retirement gathering
THE decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge four people over alleged breaching of Covid-19 regulations during an Oireachtas Golf Society event in Galway last August ‘could have implications’ for RTÉ, sources have warned.
The national broadcaster came under fire late last year after pictures emerged of a retirement gathering on its campus.
Numerous RTÉ presenters including Bryan Dobson, Miriam O’Callaghan, Eileen Dunne and David McCullagh were in attendance and apologised afterwards for not practising social distancing at the gathering.
However, a source told the Irish Mail on Sunday that the event at RTÉ is ‘very different’ to Golfgate and was not planned in the same way.
Despite this, legal sources have pointed out that it was held during a much higher level of Covid restrictions when no event at all was allowed, leaving Montrose chiefs sweating at the example being set by the DPP decision to prosecute.
‘It was a last-minute thing at RTÉ and not organised by any management or anything like that. It was very low level, but this could inadvertently have implications,’ one source said.
‘It’s [RTÉ] a lot different, it was a pop down and say goodbye, but they’re both high-profile so it’s a wait and see for now. All of a sudden people were gathering and there were pictures. I can see it being controversial if they don’t prosecute, but it’s a tough one to call.
‘If there are charges it will be someone very low down the food chain. There are one or two individuals who could be in jeopardy.’
Another source, discussing the issue from a more legalistic view, said: ‘Under Level 5 restrictions no indoor gatherings or events can take place. These are defined as controlled environments with a named event organiser. Examples provided by the Government include training or conferences so retirement gatherings such as occurred in RTÉ would almost certainly be prohibited.
‘In considering whether to bring prosecutions the DPP will consider, firstly, if the RTÉ incident constituted a “prohibited event”, if it took place within a “controlled environment” and if any person or persons acted as “organiser”.
‘In that respect, although different in terms of scale and the different level of restrictions in operation at the time of Golfgate, the RTÉ incident is materially similar to Golfgate for the purpose of the regulations.’
Gardaí investigating potential breaches of public health regulations at the controversial gathering at RTÉ’s Donnybrook studios on November 12 sent a file to the DPP last month. Asked this week how the broadcaster will respond if charges are brought, an RTÉ spokesman said: ‘As the file is being considered by the DPP, RTÉ is not in a position to comment.’
It emerged this week four people, including two politicians, are to face charges over alleged breaches of the regulations in Galway last August.
The two political people to face charges are Independent TD Noel Grealish, then-captain of the Oireachtas Golf Society, and former TD and senator Donie Cassidy, the president of the Oireachtas Golf Society.
The other two to face charges are understood to be connected to the Station House Hotel in Clifden where the event was hosted.
Mr Grealish said at the time he was assured the event was in line with the latest public health guidelines, but had come to realise that attending was an error of judgment.
Mr Cassidy apologised ‘unreservedly’ at the time on behalf of the Golf Society, and said ‘it was not our intention to disregard Government or health authorities’ advice’.
This week he said he would ‘vigorously defend’ the charge, telling a newspaper: ‘I am very surprised at this development. I am also disappointed. I have not received any charge or summons yet, and if I do, it will be vigorously defended.’
Penalties on conviction for breaching Covid-19 Regulations 2020 are a fine of up to €2,500 and/or up to six months in prison.