RTÉ and the Mahon tribunal
Madam, - Kevin O'Connor (March 8th) says John Cregan's criticism of RTÉ's coverage of the Mahon tribunal is "in the tradition of Fianna Fáil's bullying of the broadcaster dating back to Charles Haughey's direct calls to the newsroom".
I was director of news from 1974 to 1990. During that period I received only one phone call from Mr Haughey; he apologised for an offensive call I had received from, as he put it, "a so-called supporter of mine" and assured me he had nothing to do with it.
The only other phone call I received from a minister was from the late Michael O'Leary, who, as Minister for Labour, wanted to advise me that a strike which was causing considerable public inconvenience had ended. From my experience I know that journalists in the newsroom do not succumb to bullying from any source. - Yours, etc,
WESLEY BOYD,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.