I'm wheely sorry

A SHAKEN Marty Morrissey last night told the Irish Mirror he hopes the public will understand after he apologised for using a free car for five years

- PAUL HEALY, SANDRA MALLON, JOHN HAND, FERGHAL BLANEY

We spoke to the RTE GAA Correspondent at his home in Co Clare not long after it emerged he'd had the use of the vehicle under an "ad hoc" arrangement.

As the rain poured down on the west coast, a visibly remorseful Marty said he didn't want to add to a statement he had released on social media.

But when asked if he hoped the public would be understanding of his apology and his explanation for accepting the car from Renault, the 64-year-old replied: "Of course I do.

"I have made my statement. That's the way it is at the moment and until I get clearance or whatever to say anything else, I've said what I wanted to say.

Quizzed about the timing of his handing back of the car, amidst a crisis at RTE and a day before the latest Oireachtas committee grilling, he added: "You're doing your job and I admire you for it. I've made a lengthy statement. I've done my bit."

Mr Morrissey spoke to us after earlier issuing an apology in which he admitted to an "error of judgment" in accepting the "informal" use of a car in return for being a master of ceremonies at a dozen Renault events.

It was stated by acting Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch at the Oireachtas Media Committee on Wednesday that an unnamed RTE staff member had been driving a vehicle he received as a loan for five years and had just returned it back to the car company on Tuesday.

FUNCTIONS 

Yesterday afternoon, Mr Morrissey revealed that in 2017 in exchange for hosting an event for Renault he was "offered a car" which he was never asked to give back.

In a lengthy statement, the former Dancing With The Stars contestant said: "I am a Sports Reporter and Commentator concentrating exclusively on GAA.