Marty Party comes to a halt over 'ad hoc car arrangement'

RTÉ GAA commentator Marty Morrissey has apologised for an “error of judgement" in relation to an "ad hoc" arrangement he had with car manufacturer Renault over a number of years.

Earlier this week, the Oireachtas Media committee was told an RTÉ staff member had been 'loaned' a car for around five years and Mr Morrissey has now confirmed he is that staff member,

In a statement, issued this Thursday, the broadcaster's GAA Correspondent said he was asked, in 2017, to MC a number of events across the country in Renault garages which included GAA interviews which were approved by RTÉ.

Marty says he did not request a fee for his services: “I saw it as GAA-related, interacting with players who I knew well. Many of the GAA-related engagements I do, I do for free.”

Marty Morrissey statement pic.twitter.com/2b4gdwhOUE

— Marty Morrissey (@MartyM_RTE) July 6, 2023

In the statement, he says Renault ‘offered’ him use of the car and that arrangement ‘carried over informally for a number of years.’

It continues: “As far as I was concerned, my use of the car was always a very ad hoc arrangement which did not affect my work with RTE. I wish to be clear that I have never had a car allowance from RTÉ.”

Given recent events involving RTÉ, the broadcaster says he reflected on the arrangement. "I felt it had been an error of judgement on my part to accept the use of the car. I returned it voluntarily to Renault on June 23.”

The RTÉ presenter went on to apologise saying: "I have apologised to RTÉ, my managers and colleagues for any embarrassment or difficulty I have caused them because of this matter. I also apologise to any of our viewers and listeners who may feel let down by my actions. It was never my intention to let anyone down, least of all myself."