Des Cahill at centre of RTÉ's €11m PRSI court case
RTÉ sports presenter Des Cahill is at the centre of a landmark High Court case that could have an €11m cost to the national broadcaster. Cahill is one of two high earners at the broadcaster whose cases have led the Department of Social Protection to determine RTÉ was obliged to make extra PRSI payments on their salary. The former Sunday Game host's case has been examined as part of a department review into whether presenters' employment at RTÉ was more akin to that of employees than independent contractors. Cahill, who has non-staff contractor position at RTÉ despite working there for over 40 years, is the subject of one of two cases RTÉ has appealed to the High Court arising from the department's inquiry into alleged bogus-self employment at the station. The two High Court cases have been brought by RTÉ against the Social Protection Minister and an appeals officer in the social welfare appeals office. Both are listed for mention in the Master's Court on July 8.
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Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Des Cahill at centre of RTÉ's €11m PRSI court case
RTÉ sports presenter Des Cahill is at the centre of a landmark High Court case that could have an €11m cost to the national broadcaster. Cahill is one of two high earners at the broadcaster whose cases have led the Department of Social Protection to determine RTÉ was obliged to make extra PRSI payments on their salary. The former Sunday Game host's case has been examined as part of a department review into whether presenters' employment at RTÉ was more akin to that of employees than independent contractors. Cahill, who has non-staff contractor position at RTÉ despite working there for over 40 years, is the subject of one of two cases RTÉ has appealed to the High Court arising from the department's inquiry into alleged bogus-self employment at the station. The two High Court cases have been brought by RTÉ against the Social Protection Minister and an appeals officer in the social welfare appeals office. Both are listed for mention in the Master's Court on July 8.
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm terrified Maddie suspect Christian Brueckner will hunt me down after he's freed from prison, says rape survivor
RAPE survivor Hazel Behan fears Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner will 'hunt me down' after his prison release. Brueckner, 47, is due to be 4 Rape survivor Hazel Behan tells her story Credit: Dan Charity 4 Convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner is due to be freed from a German jail in September Credit: Paul Edwards 4 Officers travelled to Germany for a search of derelict farms in Praia da Luz Credit: Dan Charity And Hazel, who has waived her right to anonymity, said: 'His sentence may be ending but mine never did. I have lived with fear every day for 21 years. "Fear that I'll see him. Fear that he'll find out where I live and hunt me down. I also have fear that he'll do to someone else what he did to me. 'I've called him out in a public forum and I have genuine concern he could confront me. "I wouldn't put anything past a person like him. If he is released, I will worry for every woman and child who, like me, believes the justice system is protecting them. "A leopard doesn't change his spots.' His expected release from his current conviction comes a month before Hazel will discover the outcome of her High Court appeal in Although Judge Uta Engemann described the Dublin woman as a 'credible witness' and said 'we have no doubt something bad happened to her', she added there was not enough evidence to Hazel went on: 'I am a survivor of sexual assault and rape — a title I never asked for, but one I have carried with me every day for almost 21 years. "If he is released in September, he can go anywhere he wants. The police can only get involved in protecting me if he comes into my garden. Madeleine McCann cops call off search as trawl of Brueckner's 'rat run' turns up nothing 'I think of every survivor who never got to speak, and every woman who might become the next me. "The system may be ready to let him go, but I'm not. And neither is the wider society that deserves to feel safe.' The 41-year-old added: 'I have no doubt this predator is capable of anything "Age doesn't matter to him. It is about power and control for him and this won't have changed once he is out of prison. 'He has drifted across many countries over the years and targeted women and children of all ages. What's to stop him coming to Ireland and coming after me again? 'There have been reports he had plastic surgery and although his appearance is known, he could easily live underground and adapt a new identity and appearance. 'He is part of a world where people know how to stay hidden before they commit horrific levels of violence against women and kids.' Authorities in 4 Three-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 Credit: PA Last week, officers travelled to Germany for a Despite his denial of any involvement, cops carried out the extensive hunt in the hope of finding a shred of evidence to link him to Madeleine — and to keep him behind bars. Hazel hopes if And she said: 'It took the German BKA to restore my faith in the police as my experience with the Portuguese was horrendous, to put it mildly. 'I believe the BKA are doing a stellar job and working very hard to bring justice to those believed to be victims of Christian B.' Former holiday rep Hazel also spoke of her ongoing trauma, adding: 'On the 16th of June 2004, 21 years ago, my life changed forever. Face behind the mask 'The man who raped me took more than my sense of safety — he murdered my spirit and crushed my soul. He destroyed all the little parts of me that made me, me. 'He took my trust, my voice, and for a long time, my ability to live freely in the world. 'Since then, I have worked tirelessly to reclaim those pieces of myself. But no matter how much therapy I go through, how much time passes, some scars don't fade.' Hazel also expressed her sympathy and support for the Leicestershire-based family of Madeleine. She said: ' As a parent, I cannot begin to imagine what they have gone through and continue to go through every day for the past 18 years.' On her fight for justice, she said: 'On the 3rd of June 2020, following 16 years of getting to know this 'new me', I was once again thrown back to 2004 — only this time, I was made aware of the face behind the mask. Facing the man I believed completely destroyed my life in court is one of the most difficult things I have willingly ever had to do. Hazel Behan "I grappled with whether I had the mental strength to highlight myself to the relevant authorities as a potential victim, but I knew, deep down, if I didn't, I would always regret it. 'The following four years were unimaginably tough for me and my family and nothing could have prepared me for what lay ahead. "Facing the man I believed completely destroyed my life in court is one of the most difficult things I have willingly ever had to do.' She has also taken a case to the European Court of Human Rights over what her lawyer called the 'systematic and inexcusable failings by the Portuguese authorities that has denied her, and others, justice'. FIEND 'CASH-IN' SEX beast Christian Brueckner is said to be preparing to 'cash in' on his infamy by signing up for TV and book deals when he is released. The rapist and paedophile is set to be released from jail in September. Sources in Germany claim he will be desperate for money once out — and will face no shortage of offers to make money from his notoriety. One said: 'Brueckner is awaited by many members of the media and could be paid well for going onto talk shows, which will offer him a platform to tell his version of the 'injustice' done to him.' He has already maintained his innocence in interviews from jail, also telling German broadcaster RTL of his cravings for steak and beer.
RTÉ News
16 hours ago
- RTÉ News
28 people deported to Nigeria detained prior to flight
Twenty-eight of the 35 people who were deported to Nigeria on a charter flight from Ireland this week were held in custody prior to their deportation. The average length of their detention was 27 days. The figures were provided in response to a request to the Department of Justice by RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin. In a statement, the Department said a person who is subject of a deportation order can be held for up to 56 days "for the purpose of ensuring their deportation from the State". It added that this was "to facilitate the procurement of travel documentation and the making of arrangements for the deportation flight". Details were not provided on where those deported this week were detained in advance of the flight to Nigeria. However, the Department said there are a number of "prescribed places of detention" which include Castlerea Prsion, Cloverhill Prison, Cork Prison, Limerick Prison, Midlands Prison and Wheatfield Prison. It is understood women detained prior to deportation are held at the Dóchas Centre in Dublin. Detainees can also be held at any garda station. Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, Fianna Fáil Minister of State Charlie McConalogue said that in some instances it was necessary to detain people in advance of deportation, but this was "hopefully in a small number of circumstances". "The information I have in terms of the women and children involved, there was no detentions there, that there was a date given in advance," Mr McConalogue said. The breakdown of figures for the flight to Nigeria included 21 men, nine women and five children - indicating that at least some women were held in custody prior to their enforced deportation. Speaking on the same programme, Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin said: "There is no doubt that part of what the very high profile nature of Minister O'Callaghan has done is to try and distract attention away from their failures in terms of running an international protection system that is compassionate, that is human rights rooted, but also that is fair, efficient and ultimately enforced." Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney said the events of Thursday morning was "the stuff of nightmares" for the children deported - as well as the children who witnessed their friends being taken away by gardaí.
