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Mary O'Rourke was 'a bit troubled' by Charlie's depiction of Brian Lenihan

The sister of the late former tánaiste has been speaking about the RTÉ drama this morning.

lenihan sr Peter O'Meara played Brian Lenihan senior RTÉ Player RTÉ Player

MARY O’ROURKE WAS “a bit troubled” by the depiction of her brother Brian Lenihan senior in last night’s RTÉ drama, Charlie.

The former Fianna Fáil minister was speaking to Today with Seán O’Rourke in the aftermath of last night’s first episode of the hotly-anticipated drama series.

File Photo Charlie, RTE's new three part drama based on Charles J Haugheys epic fight for political survival, will begin on Sunday January 4 2015 on RTE One. Haughey and Lenihan in 1986 Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

O’Rourke said that while the “historical depiction was very good” and that Aidan Gillen was “outstanding” as Charlie Haughey she believed some families of the main characters might feel “bashed on”.

“I was a bit troubled by the depiction of Brian, Brian Lenihan senior,” she said of her late brother who was played by Peter O’Meara.

In one scene, Lenihan senior as minister for foreign affairs, is shown carrying shirts that Haughey collected on a trip to Paris.

“He was carrying the Charvet shirts up the stairs after Charlie, I’m quite sure Brian Lenihan just never did that,” she said.

lenihan haughey RTÉ Player RTÉ Player

She said that there was much more to her “amiable and sincere” brother than was depicted in last night’s programme.

But despite her criticisms, O’Rourke predicted that the RTÉ drama will be “a big success” and said that overall it was “riveting”.

Review: So after all the hype was episode one of Charlie actually any good?

Explainer: Who exactly was everyone in Charlie last night?

Reaction: Here’s how Twitter reacted to the first episode of Charlie

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