One of RTE’s best known presenters Marty Morrissey remains in hot water over a car he had on loan, that the public didn’t know about, for some 5 years.
Sports presenter Marty Morrissey has apologised for an “error of judgement” related to an “ad hoc” deal with Renault where he used the car for several years, reports RTE.
Mr Morrissey, who is also RTÉ’s Gaelic Games correspondent, confirmed the news in a statement this afternoon.
He said he was asked to host several events in 2017 at Renault workshops across the country. He said he then sought RTÉ’s permission to do so, and it was granted.
“I did not seek a fee of this engagement,” he said, adding that as he did not seek a fee, Renault offered him the use of the car instead. I accepted this offer, the situation carried over informally for a number of years”, reports RTE.
He said he voluntarily returned the car on Friday, June 23.
Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley questioned RTÉ’s interim deputy chief executive Adrian Lynch about whether an individual within the organisation owned a car as a result of being a brand ambassador for automotive companies.
Mr Lynch revealed that the RTÉ employee secured the car loan for five years.
He told the commission the arrangement was “not approved” and the vehicle was returned on Tuesday.
“I’m aware of one instance where somebody had a loan of car. My understanding is that car has been returned and that individual is a staff member of RTÉ,” Mr Lynch said, reports RTE.
Asked by Senator Michael Carrizi whether the employee who returned the car was a board member, director or talent, Lynch said he couldn’t provide that information because it would be too specific and lead to speculation about a narrow group.
However, Lynch has informed the Data Protection Authority that it may be more transparent about this in the future.
“I’m sure it will come out anyway,” he said, reports RTE.
Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan said five years is an unusually long time to rent a car.
Mr Lynch said he “understanding” the loan had not been approved, adding that the worker’s handbook said the line manager should approve such an arrangement, which was not the case.
Mr O’Sullivan criticised the “oversight”.
Asked if it was possible that a car benefit recipient did not have a driving licence, Mr Lynch said he did not know but would find out, reports RTE.
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