2024-05-07 ยท Waterford
Virgin Media and TV correspondent agree to mediate dispute
Paul Byrne, a southern correspondent for Virgin Media, has taken his employer to the High Court over a disciplinary process he says is flawed. He was suspended after a live report on February 9 about a boy's death in County Waterford, in which he cited a claim that the boy had been drowned and placed in a car. The claim was later found false, but Byrne says he verified it with credible sources and that other outlets had published it. He alleges Virgin Media breached his contractual rights, that the disciplinary hearing was unfair, and that the process could lead to dismissal for gross misconduct. Byrne seeks injunctions to stop the proceedings, to lift his suspension, to have his salary paid and to prevent the appointment of a replacement. Virgin Media rejects the allegations, calling the breach "serious in nature" and stating it will take steps to avoid a repeat.