RADIO PRESENTER Neil Prendeville who was sacked from Cork radio station 96FM after committing a lewd act on an Aer Lingus flight last year, said yesterday he was heartened by the positive response to his return to his morning radio slot.
Speaking on air yesterday Prendeville (49) thanked Cork taxi drivers for a bouquet of flowers which was delivered to the station. He also expressed his appreciation for flowers which were sent in by listeners in Fair Hill in Cork city.
The presenter thanked management at 96FM for showing “a lot of bravery and courage” and said they had “balls of steel” for giving him a second chance. He vowed to repay their loyalty over the coming months. Prendeville insisted he was extremely grateful to have the opportunity to return to his morning show.
“There are numerous texts coming in this morning and I have to say thank you so much for that – and right across the weekend. I also acknowledge that there will be an amount of people who would not be in support and it would be remiss of me not to mention that as well.”
Prendeville has presented the morning talk radio show on 96FM for more than 20 years. The show averages about 100,000 listeners a day.
The DPP has directed that there be no prosecution against Prendeville following an incident on the Heathrow-Cork flight on October 19th last. Prendeville was alleged to have first exposed himself and then committed a lewd act while seated in the front row of the Aer Lingus plane en route to Cork.
Yesterday the father of two repeated his apology in relation to his actions on October 19th.
“I have apologised for crashing into people’s lives uninvited in a manner of fashion. For whatever happened I will continue to apologise and ask for forgiveness every day and that is important to acknowledge.”