Sir, - Kindly permit me to put the record straight regarding Challenging Times. The programme presenter, Kevin Myers, has asserted that neither he nor The Irish Times was told about the show being dropped. That is just not true.
Before we began recording the series of 15 programmes late last year, I was told by our director of TV production, Clare Duignan, that this would be the last series of Challenging Times. I passed on this news to Paula O'Gorman, who was the co-ordinator of the series for The Irish Times. She, in turn, informed her Editor, Conor Brady. Then I quickly contacted the presenter and each member of the production team and told them personally of RT╔'s decision. Over the next few weeks the matter was discussed at production meetings. Kevin Myers was present at all of these meetings and took part in the discussions.
Early in the new year, RT╔'s Director of TV Programmes, Cathal Goan, was in contact with Conor Brady about Challenging Times and the possibility of further joint ventures. A meeting between them took place subsequently.
The final of Challenging Times was recorded last March, but well before that, on January 30th in fact, I met Kevin Myers along with Paula O'Gorman in his local hostelry in Ballymore Eustace to discuss the fate of the programme. He resolved that he was going to write to his Editor about the matter. I never heard what was the outcome.
Anyway, on that occasion his wit was sparkling and his memory excellent. I hope the above will help to fill in whatever gaps have occurred in his recall since then., - Yours, etc.,
Mick McCarthy, Producer, Challenging Times, RT╔, Dublin 4.
The assertion to which Mr McCarty refers was made in an interview in the Sunday Times. - Ed, IT.