RTÉ presenter Claire Byrne told the High Court she thought a former minister of State “had gone doolally” on her radio programme. Ms Byrne said she thought claims by Joe Costello that Sinn Féin political manager Nicky Kehoe was a member of the IRA army council controlling how councillors voted at meetings were “outrageous”. She said her tone towards Mr Costello, then a Labour TD and a former minister for trade and development, was incredulous. Before that she did not know who Mr Costello was talking about, she said. Mr Kehoe replied: “What I am saying is RTÉ did not carry out their responsibilities right and protect my name”.

Source: The Irish Times February 16, 2018 13:07 UTC