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MARTY MORRISSEY WILL stand in for Ryan Tubridy with the August Bank Holiday edition of his show next month despite controversy surrounding his use of a Renault car for a number of years.
He will also commentate on tomorrow’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final and on Sunday’s All-Ireland camogie quarter-final.
In a statement this morning, RTÉ said that the “matter” is being “addressed by RTÉ management”.
This loan was not approved by RTÉ and in a statement yesterday, Morrissey apologised and said he would assist the broadcaster with any issues that arise.
Morrissey explained that he was offered the car during work at Renault garage where he was conducting interviews with GAA “personalities”.
“I did not seek a fee for this engagement. I saw it as GAA-related, interacting with former players who I knew well. Many of the GAA-related engagements I do, I do at no cost,” said Morrissey.
“As I hadn’t sought a fee, Renault offered me the use of a car. I accepted this offer. The situation carried over informally for a number of years.
“I ended up MC-ing about 12 such events. Since the recent controversy within RTE arose, I reflected on this matter. I concluded that it had been an error of judgment on my part to accept the use of the car. I returned it voluntarily to Renault on 23 June,” he explained.
In a statement to The Journal, RTÉ confirmed that Morrissey “will be commentating on the All-Ireland Senior Men’s Hurling Semi-Final on Saturday and the All-Ireland Senior Camogie quarter-final on Sunday on RTÉ2 as scheduled”.
RTÉ added that he will “present his August Bank Holiday radio programme as planned on RTÉ Radio 1”.
At the Oireachtas hearing on Wednesday, Fianna Fáil senator Timmy Dooley asked RTÉ’s interim deputy director-general Adrian Lynch whether any personalities were in possession of a car as a result of being brand ambassadors for motoring companies.
Lynch revealed one RTÉ staff member had secured the loan of a car for five years and that the loan period was “not approved”.
Lynch said the car was handed back on Tuesday – however Morrissey said he handed back the vehicle on 23 June.
In his statement yesterday, Morrissey said that he, “like many RTÉ staff and contractors” was this week asked to supply RTÉ with information about any commercial engagements, gifts and potential conflicts of interest.
“I have never been appointed a brand ambassador for Renault. There was no expectation or requirement that I publicly endorse or promote Renault on air, on social media or otherwise while I had the use of a car.
“As far as I was concerned, my use of the car was always a very ad hoc arrangement which did not affect my work with RTÉ. I wish to be clear that I have never had a car allowance from RTÉ,” he added.
Speaking today on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dooley said he was “somewhat confused as to why RTÉ management decided to create a situation for Marty that required him to come out and clarify the situation”.
Dooley said he wanted to know if there were people in RTÉ who had a car allowance despite not having a driving licence.
“The reality is that none of that applies to Marty Morrisey, but for some reason RTÉ management decided to create this notion about an individual who had a car loan etc, etc, creating a level of hype, and it required Marty then to effectively clarify the situation,” said Dooley.
“In his case, he’s not getting a car allowance so his situation didn’t relate to the question that was asked, and neither is he a car ambassador, so I’m sort of somewhat confused as to why RTÉ management decided to create a situation for Marty that required him to come out now and clarify the situation.”
Dooley added that Morrisey has been “pulled into this controversy unfairly and unnecessarily” as there is “no license fee or RTÉ money involved”.
“He (Morrissey) has identified the practice as being unwise; who amongst us haven’t done things that were unwise and with the benefit of hindsight, might have done things a little bit differently.
“But that of itself does not target the person as being responsible for what’s actually happening at management level within RTÉ,” said Dooley.
Not fit for purpose, who are they trying to kid. Had a car for 5 years which was benefit in kind, which is taxable
@john christopher: ah don’t be like that, sure wasn’t it an ad hoc situation that was never signed off by Montrose.
@john christopher: How do you know he hasn’t paid tax on it and if it turns out he has will that satisty you?
@john christopher: behave
@Stanley Marsh: do you think he declared tax on an ad-hoc arrangement??
@john christopher: there are two issues to address : did he inform RTE of the arrangement and did they sign off on the arrangement ie no conflict of interest… did he pay BIK , it is a criminal offense to not declare a specific benefit.
@Stanley Marsh: no
@Stanley Marsh: if itvwasnt sanctioned how did he pay tax through the payroll.
@socheallaigh: never
@Stanley Marsh: one has towonder who was paying the road tax and insurance, and maintenance costs if it was only a loan car.
@Stanley Marsh: he has already admitted he didn’t
@Stanley Marsh: No such word as “ad hoc” in revenue lingo. Open to correction though. :-(
They really are laughing at us
@Jp Cleary: RTE (and Morrissey) giving us the finger. This announcement comes within hours of the new DG promising reforms, transparency, etc. Absolutely taking the piss.
@Jp Cleary: This whole mess is actually serving some good—it is shining a light on those we pay handsomely to represent us. Sen. Tim Dooley was on the radio this morning defending Marty saying he was “unfairly” dragged into the controversy. This gives us clear insight into the values and standards of Dooley. Did he even bother to ask would Marty have gotten a car if he was working for anyone other than RTE? Did he bother to ask why Marty was “given” a car by Renault? Out of the goodness of their hearts??? Did he ask has Marty paid BIK taxes due etc? And of course, Dooley has never asked why the Minister is not taking responsibility for the total lack of oversight that allowed all this stuff to happen in the first place. That would turn the spotlight right back to Fianna Fail.
Did Marty get travelling expenses from rte for driving his free Renault to matches?
@Pato: And also to judge the lovely gerdles contest?
@Pato: No. This is a non story. He travels the country most weeks of the year with his commentating.
@Pato: the answer to your question is in the article!!
He was only sorry he got caught. The public aren’t idiots and won’t swallow it.
@Shane Leonard:
but they are swallowing it , Do you have any idea how different they are online now its the GAA who got caught and not ryan tubridy ?
@Shane Leonard: When the likes of flip flops and cars cloud the real issues of bad management and slush funds, then you know their PR machine is winning and the public are heading for another dust gathering report.Some showboating politicians, ask trivial questions and are more interested in making a name for themselves, than holding people to account, esp themselves. Scrapping RTE and the TV licence are also massive distractions, because we all know that that will never happen. Disclosures from RTE ground staff are non existent. Whistleblower legislation needs to be updated and the bar lowered to hold people more easily to account, so the problems across Govt orgs are detected earlier. Presently, orgs are rubbing their hands with glee because the focus is only on RTE. They are motivated by greed, so massively fine them and make them pay for their junkets and jail them. We are being treated like idiots and falling for it and there is no one there to shout ‘ FIRE’.
@Shane Leonard: yep
The neck on Marty.-too many parties.
@Willie Marty: Wonder how much ad revenue has been generated in the last two weeks with every media outlet in the country banging a constant drum? They must love breaks in the usual supply of content. imo, the money made from this story easily doubles the amounts being talked about.
⚠️ alert Renault are giving away new cars the make is “ad hoc” they come highly recommend by rte I’m. On my to get one all you need is a smiley face and a brass neck and there are any questions say you did nothing wrong and drive on wish me luck
No coincidence that RTE is situated in Dublin 4 is it ? They deserve each other.
@donal cusack:
but this marty morrissey scandal only comes out the weekend before tubs is coming to the PAC
timing ..
@donal cusack: Sure at least Marty drove himself, all over Ireland, to support and encourage loads of young sports clubs. Plus while some TDs may have been driven to venues outside Dublin, weren’t they doing that to meet voters? Whereas Marty wasn’t even charging fees. I say more power to him for his efforts.
@F Fitzgerald:
“more power to him”
if marty morrissey was a TD instead of GAA would you split hairs like that?
@donal cusack: Well it used to be situated in the GPO in the Radio Eireann days but there were some mysterious structural problems with the building..
@F Fitzgerald: If Marty was loaned a car by Renault what has this to do with RTÉ. Also as the car was not supplied by his employer BIK should not apply.
How many more Ad Hoc deals went on.
Rubbing salt into the wound now…priceless
No, 5 years is not an error of judgement.
I know this is a little unkind but after his recent debacle, I cannot help but see Marty as a used car salesman. Look at that smile!
@Injustice Cop:
what Paul Galvin did was dismissed as “hand bags at dawn”
now you’re dismissing marty morrissey as a used car salesman
@GERARD KENNELLY: I don’t know too much about Marty as I don’t watch RTE yet for some reason pay a telly licence. All I know is he benefitted in a way that seems embarrassing and I couldn’t help but chuckle when my mind made the connection to a salesman. I don’t know who Paul Galvin is but whoever he is and whatever he done, he’s not Marty. How about we stick with the topic at hand?
@Injustice Cop:
“stick to the topic at hand”
I’m sorry and ashamed to say the irish people know their place
They make excuses for the GAA when the GAA get caught .
Marty Morrissey is GAA ,
Paul Galvin was GAA not so long ago.
when a TD gets caught .. we’ll never vote for them again
when Tubridy got caught .. we’ll never watch him again
but when the GAA get caught .. cowards trying to laugh it off
@GERARD KENNELLY: I agree with you.
Their hands in our pockets, and it’s us that go to prison for their theft?
@Monty Carlow: Well said Monty.
Poor Marty. At least Tubridy has a fall guy who will vouch for the fact that Tubridy knew absolutely nothing about his financial arrangements.
@alan:
Oh yeah poor marty , all he has is the GAA backing him up
the GAA who have their hooks into every county in ireland
@GERARD KENNELLY: unfortunate wording given what happened in Tyrone!
@alan:
what happened in Tyrone ?
After his fifteen minutes of Colombo fame it’s a bit amusing to hear Timmy Dooley squirming this morning because it turned out to be Marty that he inadvertently outed as the driver of the five year old banger! I guess he realises that Morrissey is more popular in Clare than he is……..
@Mike Finnegan:
GAA Joe Brolly defended Marty
FG Seán Kelly deflected Marty
FF Timmy Dooley defended Marty
will SF defend and or deflect marty ?
will Labour defend and or defect marty ?
will PBP defend and or deflect marty ?
@Mike Finnegan: is this the same Dimmy Tooley that presses buttons in the Dail lots ot times.
Imagine being staff at RTE, seeing this Golden tent circus on going and not being able to say anything about it. Must be very frustrating, they should all be shown the door and promote that staff to those positions!
@Emmet Murphy: I thought it was editorial decision not to have someone involved in a controversial on air? Double standards already! Is this tge new CEO? Debacle!
@P Martin: exactly, GAA rules as well as RTE
@Margaret Deacon:
some TD gets caught .. we’ll never vote for them again
Tubridy got caught .. we’ll never watch him again
but when the GAA get caught .. cowards trying to laugh it off
The smuggest little man in the country-needs to be taken down a peg or two!
@John arse: yup anyone who succeeds,take him down a peg, sad
By my back of a cigarette packet calculation, the car probably would have left him with a BIK bill of about €200 a month.
Whether he paid that or not, only he and Revenue know as it had nothing to do with RTE, and people assuming he didn’t pay don’t have a scooby doo whether he did or not.
As for whether he got travel expenses, he’d be daft not too given his job is to travel all over the country. That’s not considered income though and is fairly irrelevant. I don’t expect the postman to pay for his own petrol…
Reply to Connie O’Reilly – they must get through a ton of Brasso keeping those necks polished…
Such a grubby little country we live in,
Look at all the support MM has in the comments,
@Adam:
RTE Tubridy gets caught .. we’ll never watch him again
GAA marty gets caught .. Ah sur its only a car
“So tell us Marty. What first got you interested in the free loan Renault from RTE. Did you think you could get away with it so easy?”
“Ah sure lookit,I wasn’t so sure at the beginning,to be honest. But once I sat in the driver seat,I thought about it a bit more. I took out the key,turned the ignition,and it all took off from there”
Brilliant photo capturing not the most flattering nor guilt free expression. That RTE are using Marty for said slot; one has to admit it is entertaining. Comedy Gold.
@Keth Tgi:
RTE’s spin doctors told them to drag the GAA into this and it would change overnight and it did ..
See how sympathetic and dismissive people are now its Marty and the GAA being scrutinized instead of Ryan Tubridy ?
All charges should be dropped, he should be charged for havin a noodle like a bag of spuds
@Dan Danny:
you’re falling for their tricks
@Dan Danny: What charges?
The charges for five years rental on a car, perhaps?
Bit of eye candy for the ladies at least
@Stoic Savage: crackin up at that
Sure he needed a car with a big boot to fit that box he stands on to do TV interviews. You couldn’t travel on the bus with that box.
Lots of GAA and rugby stars get freebies too and no one questions it. RTE personalities are not alone in this one.
@M M: Sporting organisations and publicly funded organisations, are two different animals.
@Emmet Murphy:
we stop giving them money and the organization dies
RTE should do a musical pantomime for Christmas this year and call it “ the day Marty Morrisey’s car broke down in his garage” .
‘Fire up the Laguna…’
@Dermott Russell:
I’m going to centra later today , Your comment got me thinking about lasagna
I’m gonna buy some lasagna . LOL
I Seriously don’t know one person who tunes into this show. I certainly never have and never will.
@Mick Hanna: I don’t know one person that would refuse a free car and that probably includes all the Marty bashers here. We are a country full of hypocrites and begrudgers.
Honestly, I say fair play to Renault for lending him the use of a car to visit sports venues outside Dublin. It’s not as though he expected a personal driver and to keep the car!
@Lorne Malvo:
No such thing as a free car
@GERARD KENNELLY: Reading your comments, I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised if you were aligned with Dee Forbes&Co. Each of your countless comments totally distracts from the real issues and aligns with the RTE board of ‘ distraction’ and now you are dragging the GAA into it. Even if you are genuine, which I doubt, by not focusing your opinion on the real issues of accountability etc etc, for all govt orgs, you give the board free reign. MM is brilliant at what he does and why wouldn’t he take advantage of a free car, given the amount of travel he does and that he does not have an RTE car allowance. Would you accept a free car?? BIK is a different matter. RT, legally did nothing wrong but morally he is empty.
was it RTE’s spin doctors who told them to drag the GAA into this ?
Expose dirt on a popular GAA figure and it would change overnight
See how sympathetic and dismissive people are online now its Marty Morrissey being scrutinized instead of Ryan Tubridy
@GERARD KENNELLY: most likely and probably advised them to put him on the Tubs slot in August. Just to crank the drama up a notch. RTE can easily distance themselves from Martys dealings with Renault.
@Lorne Malvo:
it will never happen but I’d love to see the GAA exposed
Obviously the scandal is continuing – Ryan can’t do for editorial reasons but Mart can! He didn’t even disclose that he had a free car from Renault! Is there not a replacement that isn’t involved?can
@P Martin: Hardly “free”, though. Not as though it was his to sell on, and by all accounts he made good use of it to support sports all around the country. Mind you, it would also be great if Renault could pass a few cars to young medical staff starting out, considering they’ve had to sleep in their cars at times!
This whole mess is actually serving some good—it is shining a light on those we pay handsomely to represent us. Sen. Tim Dooley was on the radio this morning defending Marty saying he was “unfairly” dragged into the controversy. This gives us clear insight into the values and standards of Dooley. Did he even bother to ask would Marty have gotten a car if he was working for anyone other than RTE? Did he bother to ask why Marty was “given” a car by Renault? Out of the goodness of their hearts??? Did he ask has Marty paid BIK taxes due etc? And of course, Dooley has never asked why the Minister is not taking responsibility for the total lack of oversight that allowed all this stuff to happen in the first place. That would turn the spotlight right back to Fianna Fail.
@Jim O’Sullivan:
Dooley is from Munster .. hurting the GAA is suicide in ireland especially rural ireland
5 years is a long time to have an “error of judgement!”
None of these people will pay either in justice or in money.
@Dan Dare:
“Aww poor Marty .. Ah Sur its only a car”
where was our sympathy when Tubridy got caught ?
its only when this starts to hurt the GAA that the irish people know their place ..
Public Service Broadcasters in Norway
There average pay is between 70 and 140 grand max…this is a country about the same size population wise as ireland and more wealthy
“The matter is being addressed by RTE management.” Oh well, that’s fine then, all is in order. Course in fairness to Morrissey, he didn’t receive a car allowance, so not as bad as first thought…and suggested by Lynch. How could he have gotten that important detail wrong? The core issue of corrupt accounting is in danger of being swamped by trivia.
Marty rings insurance company. I’m afraid I’ve found myself in a bit of a scrape with de oul Renno. A scrape? Is that the drivers side or the……..No,offside. It’s definitely offside.
He apologises for an error of judgement, and then pulls this stroke within a day. He must have gone to the same Advanced Arrogance classes as Leaky.
All I can say is neck like a Giraffe …… (I appreciate the irony of this considering the article is on Marty Morrisey)
I bet there’s a small alien driving this one.
But the car was just resting in my driveway
Think Marty will be in for a shock when the bill for benefit in kind catches up – I know I was. And by the way Marty, you didn’t do the gig for free. You drove a free car for five years. If that’s not barter accounting I don’t know what is. Goes to the whole underlying culture within the organisation that doesn’t see anything wrong with this. Same as the arrogance in producing the flop late late toy show musical. No market testing or scaled down test run. Straight into production in one of the most expensive floor spaces in Dublin. Pure arrogance and contempt for tax payer.
No other TV channel on this earth would give Marty a job on television. Mind you he has an ideal face for radio.
Marty is a 5 year free car not a fee? Please do the maths “Loan”, “Service” etc..
That’s an ecarumenical matter..
More neck than a giraffe.
I’m no fan of Marty but he did nothing wrong here. Don’t be fool by RTE’s deflection tactic.
@Lorne Malvo: fooled
@Lorne Malvo: how the hell is it an RTE deflection tactic? Marty had a private arrangement with Renault, ended it, Timmy Dooley raised the issue, rte board responded to Dooley. And somehow, it’s an RTE deflection tactic? Good grief.
@Dermot Lane: who mentioned that a staffer had handed a car back “yesterday”? He knew what he was doing alright!
@Lorne Malvo:
do you remember the night Claire Byrne discussed the Garth Brooks concerts?
she brought on a man who lost a court case with the GAA
Before the show even started people were like . “Ah yeah he would say that “
Unbelievable. And he’ll probably get about 50k. for the show like Claire Byrne did for that quiz.
@Tony Murphy: Its totally believable. He’s taking the heat and deflecting the publics gaze from the real RTE issues. You don’t think he’s doing that for free, do you ? He needs funds to buy a new car
Give us a shout if you need a lift, Marty….
Yet, people are daft enough to believe their “news”.
Musical
We get exactly what they deserve.
Marty sill make some dumb joke and the nation will be like… Oh well….
Noel Lee. I know it’s annoying but the full facts need to be revealed what’s going on in RTE maybe it will end corruption in these large backed state corporations
Tubridy probably got the car…
The people have gone to far give Marty back his car… Sing it!!
He should be removed from all TV and radio until this is fully investigated. Disgraceful that he is involved this weekend.
And why not ? Has he now received another free car the Revenue are not interested in.
Why would he need to pay tax on this? Its not related to his RTE contract. So should have no impact on PAYE. Or am I missing something?
@D: You are missing something. Go to the Revenue Commissioners website and look up Benefits In Kind (BIK). Not that the Revenue Commissioners will bother looking onto this one….
I don’t think Marty Morrisey or Ryan Tubs done anything wrong, getting bonuses or side deals are all part of life for making a business successful and for the Politicians especially the current ones passing judgement on them is offence and the big LOL in all of this.
@paul whitehead The difference is our taxes pay for this bs. Think before you speak next time perhaps.
It’s a car. Give it a rest about Martie. Most of the working class hero’s on here have done undeclared nixers all their lives. Such Hypocrites. And I’d say 99% of them would happily avail of a barter ac arrangement if it were on offer. Look at the tree log in your own eye before you notice the tiny splinter in another’s. Hypocrites.
Je suis Ryan
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