Former BBC Controller To Head RTÉ Probe

The former controller of BBC Northern Ireland is to investigate the alleged defamation of a priest on RTÉ.

Anna Carragher, will be looking into allegations made by the Prime Time Investigates programme, Mission To Prey, which accused Father Kevin Reynolds of raping a minor and fathering a child while working in Kenya 30 years ago.

The investigation, initiated by the BAI Compliance Committee will examine whether the programme segments dealing with Fr Reynolds breached the Broadcasting Act.

Anna Carragher produced and edited numerous news and current affairs programmes for BBC Radio and Television.

As Controller of BBC Northern Ireland from 2000 to 2006, she was editorially responsible for all BBC Northern Ireland output. She is a member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which is responsible for regulating artificial reproduction in the UK and she is also a Commissioner for the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

RTE made a full apology to the priest after complaints were lodged while the Galway-based priest - who had been forced to step down from his parish for almost six months - accepted an out-of-court settlement for the libel.

(DW)