Radio station apologises and pays damages to Kathleen Lynch

A Cork radio station has apologised and paid undisclosed damages to Labour TD and Minister of State Kathleen Lynch over comments made about her on a discussion programme two years ago.

UTV-owned, 96FM confirmed in its broadcasts on Monday that it had settled a High Court action brought by Ms Lynch over comments made on The Neil Prendeville Show on the station on May 13th, 2013.

It had been claimed on air Ms Lynch had commented publicly on the death of Kerry teenager, Donal Walsh for the purpose of garnering publicity for herself.

On Monday 96FM acknowledged in broadcasts that the statement about Ms Lynch, a TD for Cork North Central, was wrong and untrue and it apologised to her for the error.

It accepted Ms Lynch had worked with the Kerry teenager and his family in her official capacity as Minister for State for Mental Health in order to help bring about suicide awareness and prevention.

Mr Prendeville and his production team have since left 96FM and have joined Red FM where he presents The Neil Prendeville Show while PJ Coogan has taken over The Opinion Line at 96FM.