Gaelic football expert Joe Brolly feels it was “tremendously disrespectful” to be interrupted in the middle of an interview on Claire Byrne Live on Monday night.
TÉ cut the video link of the former Derry footballer and lawyer after he made comments linking the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to homophobia and racism.
The broadcaster said it received 95 emails and 32 calls, mostly offering negative comments about Brolly’s live broadcast of the show being cut off, along with seven formal complaints.
Mr Brolly stated that what happened in the special about a united Ireland was indicative of this “cool and courteous thing in RTÉ” where the important thing is to say nothing.
“I thought it was tremendously disrespectful to me, having asked me 20 times (to go to the show),” he told the Irish independent.
“They insisted that I go to the studio. They initially said that the program would start.
“Then they said, ‘Sorry, we’re going to have Ian Paisley (son) with you to keep the balance.’ Then they said, ‘I’m sorry Ian has cried so you won’t be able to start the show because there will be no balance.’
“After all that, it took them longer to get the mic to my ear than it did for me to appear on the show.
“It’s childish and embarrassing, and it was the will, the ease with which they treated me that way.”
First Sunday game The expert added: “It indicates a serious dysfunction in the heart of RTÉ and a very cold new era, very ruthless but polite not to say anything. Whatever you say, don’t say anything. “
the Independent Sunday The columnist describes himself as a “political atheist” and said that the issues raised on the show were very serious and that he had spent a lot of time preparing for them.
Brolly was responding to comments from DUP MP Gregory Campbell, who told the Claire Byrne Live showed that a united Ireland “is not going to happen” and claimed that the people involved in the debate “just don’t get it”.
“We are British,” Campbell said. “Those three words: we are British.
“There is nothing you can say, nothing you can do to change that,” he added.
Reacting to that segment, Mr. Brolly came up and said about the DUP members: “You see them laughing and laughing out loud when people are trying to have a serious discussion.
“Laughing at the Irish language, laughing at Gaelic sports, homophobia, racism, all these things.”
Explaining the reason for disconnecting her interview, Ms. Byrne said she was sorry but was unable to continue the conversation because Mr. Campbell was not there to defend himself.
In a statement, RTÉ said: “On last night’s show, Joe Brolly made quite specific allegations that, in context, viewers would have understood that they were directed at a previous guest who was not in a position to respond.
“After he made his point, the presenter, Claire Byrne, tried to move on, but Mr. Brolly insisted on interrupting her in an attempt to repeat her accusations.”
Campbell claimed yesterday that he was not given the opportunity to sell the benefits of staying in the UK in the debate.
He said: “Being part of the UK, but being on the island of Ireland, offers opportunities for people, whether they see themselves as trade unionists or nationalists.”
