Creche workers to take case against RTÉ

Two childcare workers at a Dublin creche have claimed they were defamed in a Primetime programme entitled 'Breach of Trust' broadcast on RTÉ television.

Sandra Kavanagh and Lisa Craddock were employed at the Links Creche, Abbington, Malahide, which featured in the Primetime programme broadcast on May 28th last. The programme involved undercover reporters secretly filming at a number of creches.

Ms Craddock, Brookwood Glen, Artane, Dublin, and Ms Kavanagh, Hawthorn Park, Forrest Park, Swords, Co Dublin, claim they were devastated by the broadcast which, they claim, alleged they were involved in the mistreatment of, and were utterly indifferent to, children in their care.

Both workers, who deny either mistreatment or indifference, claim they were suspended and eventually dismissed by their employer following the broadcast.

At the High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross granted a preliminary application by the two seeking access to certain materials from RTÉ prior to serving their formal statement of claim on RTÉ.

Disadvantage
The material includes a recording and transcript of a version of 'Breach of Trust' shown to the parents of the children at the Links Creche before the programme was broadcast on TV.

Frank Callanan, for the women, said they would be at a huge disadvantage unless they got the material sought. Despite several requests, RTÉ had refused to give his clients that material, he added.

He said his clients were led to believe it differed to what was actually broadcast by RTÉ.

The judge ruled the women were entitled to the material and this should be provided within six weeks.