Former RTÉ broadcaster Sean O’Rourke has expressed a desire to return to broadcasting with RTÉ after charges against the four defendants in the “Golfgate” case were dismissed, saying he “would like to be back on air”.
Speaking to The Irish Times after the conclusion of the court case, which did not involve Mr O’Rourke, he said the outcome was a relief to everybody who attended the event in Clifden in August 2020.
Mr O’Rourke was one of the guests invited to the two-day event in Connemara.
He was recently retired from RTÉ at the time and, on foot of the controversy, RTÉ decided not to proceed with a new contract for him.
‘A relief’
“I followed the trial closely and the outcome is a relief not just to the defendants but to everyone who attended on the assurance that it complied with the rules,” he said.
“The aftermath was traumatic for me but many thousands of people suffered far more than I did from the pandemic.”
He said the atmosphere in the State was febrile at the time.
“I lost a good contract to resume the work I love. That had a big effect on me and my family. What happened happened and I’m glad the case is over.
“I would like to go back on air. I have good relations with many people in RTÉ and I am hopeful that a way will be found for me to work again with RTÉ on radio and television,” he said.
