TV Licence Prosecuting Judge Slams "Godlike Personalities" In RTÉ

Friday, 7 July 2023 12:17

A District Court judge made the remarks before hearing 159 prosecutions around the TV licence

A judge presiding over TV licence prosecutions has criticised RTE for what was described as elitism, "Godlike personalities", and "freeloaders" while defendants were "crippled with the cost of living".

It was heard at Dublin District Court.

Before hearing 159 prosecutions around the TV licence Judge Anthony Halpin said he was disgusted and appalled by the ongoing controversy at the broadcaster.

He said the people before the Court were accused of failing to pay and may feel hard done by when they see the way RTE abused statutory funding.

Quoting Hamlet - Judge Halpin said "there's something rotten in the State of Denmark" - describing activities in RTÉ as shenanigans and mischievious.

He said he is saddened those before the court are crippled with the cost of living and have to see this money be squandered and abused.

The Judge continued to say the law is the law - and will give more time to those who need it to pay the TV licence.

If they do pay they will be without a conviction - however if they choose not to pay he will have no choice but to convict.

People can be fined up to 1,000 euro for not paying a TV licence or 2,000 euro for a repeat offence.

Meanwhile RTÉ is preparing for a restructure of management with the new Director General Kevin Bakhurst to take office on Monday.

His fourth day in office will see him appear before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee next Thursday to discuss the controversy at the broadcaster.

It's set to dominate the news agenda again next week, with Ryan Tubridy and his agent appearing before two Oireachtas Committees on Tuesday.

Chairman of the PAC and Laois Offaly TD, Brian Stanley says they need to hear from both of them:

Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly saying she's still looking for answers:

While Chairman of the Communications Clinic Terry Prone says her advice to the pair is to focus on content rather than contrition:

Meanwhile Media Minister Catherine Martin is under pressure after refusing to say if people should pay the TV licence fee, here's Social Democrat Roisin Shortall:

The RTE Trade Union Group has welcomed assurances from the incoming Director General at RTE.

Kevin Bakhurst met with staff representatives, officers and officials and from the TUG today.

The meeting has been described as frank and robust.

However, the TUG welcomed the Director General's commitment to meeting staff and unions in the coming weeks, and on working to rebuild trust with staff and the public.