An investigation is under way today after claims that a disputed answer to a question cost a contestant £93,000 on the RTÉ programme Who Wants to be Millionaire?
The argument centred on the medical word lunula. Asked where it was in the body Mr Shane O'Doherty said - after phoning a friend - it was in the heart.
But Gay Byrne, the programme's presenter said it was in the fingernail and Mr Doherty (44) from Templeogue, Dublin, left with £32,000 rather than the £125,000 a correct answer would have secured.
Businessman Mr O'Doherty later put the matter in the hands of his solicitors for consideration of possible legal action.
The debate took a new turn today when one of the country's leading heart surgeons Dr Maurice Neligan maintained the lunula he knew was definitely to be found in the heart.
The issue dominated RTÉ's phone-in radio programmes this morning. But Tyrone Productions, the show's makers, said four reference books had backed up the fingernail answer.
This was in accord with rules signed by contestants and their decision was final, the company said.
PA