CORK RADIO presenter Neil Prendeville, who returns to his local radio slot next Monday after being absent since committing a lewd act on board an Aer Lingus flight last year, gave a lengthy broadcast interview yesterday.
Prendeville revealed for the first time that he was sacked by 96FM after the incident and was not on temporary suspension pending the outcome of the Garda investigation, as had been widely believed.
He attributed his actions to problems with alcohol, before going on to express gratitude to management for allowing him to return to his radio show.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has decided there will be no charges against Mr Prendeville following the incident on the Heathrow-Cork flight on October 19th.
Prendeville is alleged to have indecently exposed himself while sitting in the first row of the Aer Lingus aircraft en route to Cork.
Speaking on Cork’s 96FM yesterday, Prendeville said it took him 22 years to build a reputation and “seconds” to damage it.
Prendeville, whose radio slot is the most listened to show in the State outside Dublin, told 96FM’s PJ Coogan he hoped the incident wouldn’t define him for the rest of his life.
The 49-year-old admitted that in his darkest days he never thought he would have the opportunity to return to the flagship morning show.
He apologised on air to the female Irish Examinerjournalist who was sitting next to him on the flight, saying she was "involved in something which was in no way shape or form of her making".
The broadcaster stressed he was regretful of how the incident had impacted on the other passengers on the flight, his family and work colleagues.