`Century bonus to RTE £1,700'

A senior RTE executive has acknowledged receiving £1,700 from the co-founder of Century Radio, Mr Oliver Barry, shortly before Century went on air in 1989.

Mr Peter Branagan said the cash was given to fund entertainment for RTE transmission staff who had worked to get Century on air in time for its launch in September 1989.

Mr Barry has told the tribunal he paid £5,000 on behalf of Century to Mr Branagan or another RTE executive, Mr John McGrath, on August 25th, 1989, but Mr Branagan said yesterday this was "not possible". The amount involved was £1,600 or £1,700, he said.

Mr Branagan said he gave £1,000 to Mr McGrath and the balance to another executive based outside Dublin. It was his understanding from RTE that four functions were held with the money given.

He agreed with Mr Pat Hanratty SC, for the tribunal, that the contract with RTE would provide for a progressive rolling out of Century's signal, starting in 1990. However, because Century planned to go on air before this, temporary transmission would be provided. E to get transmission facilities working because it was anxious not to lose ground to other new stations that were started at that time. Mr Barry was on "tenterhooks" and wanted to know on a daily basis how things were going.

Mr Barry was extremely pleased with the co-operation from RTE's transmission staff, Mr Branagan said, and wanted to "show his appreciation".

A bonus payment was discussed, but there was a difficulty in establishing which staff had worked on the contract. There was also the issue of income tax that would be due on such a payment, Mr Branagan said.

Finally, it was proposed that an entertainment budget be provided for use as each transmission "milestone" was reached.

Mr Branagan said in late August 1989 Mr Barry showed him around Century's new studios and they then repaired to a local pub, Mother Redcap's. When other Century staff left, Mr Barry handed over the cash, which he said was for the entertainment of RTE staff.