The following is the statement issued by RTÉ in relation to cocaine
Much coverage and commentary has resulted from the inquest proceedings nine days ago in respect of the late Gerry Ryan.
RTÉ has acknowledged the widespread sadness and dismay that the life of a talented man, father and partner was ended, with the consumption of an illegal drug a likely contributory cause and with no doubt there had been illegal drug use. In any instance, this is a great and apparently avoidable loss.
RTÉ has been criticised over the past week for maintaining what has been described as a silence. RTÉ covered the formal proceedings in news programming, as is appropriate. The organisation however for the most part refrained from offering comment either on the proceedings or on other coverage or commentary which has flowed from it. This has been largely out of respect for our late colleague and out of sympathy and respect for his family.
Beyond news coverage there was scope for RTÉ programming in all media, but mainly within the radio schedules, to engage in discussion about the issues raised by the inquest. RTÉ in its own normal review of programming has considered that coverage within programmes last week of the issues around cocaine consumption in our society was less than it could have been. Some have sought to interpret RTÉ’s coverage as representing a concerted silence on RTÉ’s part. This is not so and it is regrettable that it has seemed so.
RTÉ has however not been slow or late in addressing the subject of levels of drug abuse in Ireland, including cocaine. A major Prime Time Investigatesprogramme in 2007, investigating the apparent incidence of cocaine abuse, commissioned testing of a number of selected workplaces or public places in Ireland and found traces of the drug in these. The programme included public spaces in RTÉ's own main workplace in this survey. RTÉ's remit to look closely at our society has extended to looking at itself.
Routine checks by RTÉ security staff at RTÉ’s Donnybrook premises have been maintained over time and these confirm no ongoing traces of drug-related activity. Liaison is maintained between RTÉ security staff and gardaí.
Suggestions that RTÉ is a tolerant place in respect of illegal drugs are not only unwarranted and unfounded, they are deeply unfair to RTÉ’s staff. RTÉ is one of the largest and busiest workplaces in the country, with 2,000 decent and committed staff, who have been understandably offended by the manner in which they and this organisation have been portrayed in recent days.
Given the size of RTÉ, with many freelances and contractors visiting the main Dublin site and thousands of members of the public visiting each year to attend recordings of programmes, it would be exceptional if occasional instances of drug use did not take place. But any incidence of drug use is and will be unacceptable to RTÉ and will not be condoned or tolerated.
The consumption of illegal drugs is a breach of the law and a personal danger. The taking of such drugs by any person in the RTÉ workplace – whether employee or visitor – or the taking of such drugs by any RTÉ personnel in any place in the course of their RTÉ work is unacceptable to RTÉ and a dismissable offence for any RTÉ employee.
Any such action, if known, is a criminal matter to be duly reported to gardaí. RTÉ staff becoming aware of or suspicious of any such activity are required to report to line management and to RTÉ security for investigation. Any person who has in recent days spoken of knowledge of drug use or other illegal activity by RTÉ personnel or on RTÉ premises should report what they know to gardaí and any Garda investigation into any such activity will be fully facilitated and assisted by RTÉ.
RTÉ in its own staff welfare policy has always been clear on matters of personal health, safety and welfare and on the risks of abuse of drugs or alcohol. Within the operation of a comprehensive human resources service for its staff RTÉ also has acted, when aware of individuals at risk or in response to requests for help, to provide assistance, advice and support. These matters are, and will properly remain, private.
These are the appropriate positions for any employer and in any workplace. They should apply to any organisation or employer and particularly to any media company, where standards recommended editorially should also be those applying at office and workplace level.
RTÉ’s management had received no reports or alerts that Gerry Ryan had been taking drugs. It is true that accounts have come forward since the recent inquest offering a view of aspects of Gerry Ryan’s lifestyle in the recent or the more distant past which have shocked some of those closest to him. Gerry Ryan has paid the highest price for whatever level of drug use he may have undertaken. While the comment and allegations made about him in recent days cannot now be answered by him, for many RTÉ colleagues and for RTÉ management the shock of his passing and of its circumstances remains.
Journalism and comment on and investigation into drug use in our society will continue and must continue, and RTÉ will continue to play a lead role in it.
We reiterate once again our deepest sympathies to Gerry Ryan’s family and his partner and will continue to remember him as an exceptionally talented colleague and a friend to many.
Kevin Dawson,
Head of Corporate Communications, RTÉ
GARDA STATEMENT INVESTIGATION INTO DRUG COVER-UP ALLEGATION
AN GARDA Síochána has received media queries today [Sunday] regarding an article published on the front and inside pages of the Sunday Independent which purports to communicate views held by unnamed “senior gardaí and Department of Justice officials” and makes serious allegations about members of An Garda Síochána based on anonymous sources and without any apparent grounding in fact.
We have no knowledge of any senior gardaí or officials who hold such views and none of the assertions contained in the article were put to An Garda Síochána for official comment prior to publication. The scenarios put forward in [the] article fail to take account of An Garda Síochána’s strong record in the fight against the importation of and dealing in illegal drugs, including cocaine.
We continue to put operations and investigations in place to combat and disrupt the illegal drug trade as well as the associated organised and violent criminality. The proof of that commitment and work can be seen in the courts and in the prisons every day.
Clearly, we take any allegation of misconduct very seriously and anyone who has evidence of wrongdoing on the part of a member of the gardaí or of any criminal activity on the part of any individual, should inform gardaí in order that the matter can be thoroughly investigated.
In light of the gravity and prominence of the allegations published today [Sunday], the Garda Commissioner has asked the Assistant Commissioner in the Dublin metropolitan region to task a detective superintendent to speak to the journalists and editor of the Sunday Independent to give them an opportunity to substantiate those allegations.
Gardaí can then examine whether there is any information supporting the allegations which merits further investigation.
Finally, it is general Garda policy not to comment on individuals or to provide detailed information on the progress of investigations. However, in the context of the sudden death of an individual on April 30th, 2010, gardaí can confirm that a file was forwarded to the Dublin City Coroner.
Further Garda inquiries arising from the contents of the toxicology report which formed part of the evidence at the inquest are ongoing.
Sergeant Gerry Curley,
Garda Press Office