GAA pundit Joe Brolly has launched a High Court defamation case against former employer RTE, it has emerged.
The former Derry All Ireland-winner and practising barrister lodged the papers yesterday and it is understood to be a claim for defamation that means if the case goes ahead, it will be held in front of a judge and jury.
RTE last night said it did not comment on legal matters.
It is understood that it relates to his appearance on RTE 1’s Claire Byrne Live earlier this year. He criticised RTE after the March show when he was cut off by Ms Byrne in the middle of a discussion on a united Ireland.
RTE shut off his video link after he linked the Democratic Unionist Party with homophobia and racism.
Mr Brolly later defended himself on Twitter — and posted screenshots of DUP MP Gregory Campbell referencing the number of black people on a BBC religious show.
He also tweeted a screenshot of another DUP MP, Ian Paisley Junior, under fire for saying a gay political advisor should not work for the Ulster Unionist Party because he had married his partner.
He then said: “I was taken off air and told it was because RTE could not risk me saying the DUP were homophobic, racist or sectarian. I must apologise to the DUP at once.”
Mr Brolly worked as a hugely popular pundit for RTE up until 2019.
He was not available for comment last night, nor was his solicitor.
