Barry O'Neill explained

Barry O'Neill
Birth Place:County Donegal, Ireland
Nationality:Irish
Occupation:Broadcaster, producer, politician
Party:Fine Gael
Office:Donegal County Councillor
Term Start:2004
Term End:2019
Constituency:Donegal
Module:
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Station:RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM
Network:Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)

Barry O'Neill is an Irish sports broadcaster, producer and a retired politician from County Donegal.

Career

He is a producer with Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.[1] [2] He regularly presents bulletins on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ 2fm. He was elected to Donegal County Council in 2004,[3] 2009,[4] and 2014,[5] before retiring in 2019.[6] [7] He also ran for the party in the 2010 Donegal South-West by-election finishing second behind the winner Pearse Doherty.[8]

Because of his involvement with both RTÉ and Fine Gael he has drawn comparisons with George Lee. Also, citing a significant journalistic ethics conflict.[9]

Awards

O'Neill, through his work with RTE, has won a PPI National Award for best sports story in 2014,[10] and a gold IMRO National Award for best sports programme with in 2018.[11]

Controversy

In 2012 O'Neill attracted controversy after an image was posted online of him doing a Nazi salute beside a waxwork of Adolf Hitler in a museum in Rome. The Jewish Representative Council in Ireland demanded an apology from O'Neill for the incident.[12]

Personal life

He is a fan of the Donegal football team and Finn Harps and enjoys music by Rory Gallagher.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: McGovern . Niamh . 6 Jan 2023 . ‘I have loved every minute of my 14 years on the show,’ – Jacqui Hurley announcing decision to step away from Sunday Sport . 3 Oct 2024 . Irish Independent . In closing, Jacqui thanked all those she has had the pleasure of working alongside, with particular note to producer Barry O’Neill....
  2. News: O'Connor . Aidan . 3 Jul 2009 . FG looks to RTE staff for another candidate . 3 Oct 2024 . Irish Independent.
  3. Web site: Donegal County Council: (Donegal) 2004 Local Election Results, Counts, Transfers . 2024-10-03 . irelandelection.com.
  4. Web site: Donegal County Council: (Donegal) 2009 Local Election Results, Counts, Transfers . 2024-10-03 . irelandelection.com.
  5. Web site: Donegal County Council: (Donegal) 2014 Local Election Results, Counts, Transfers . 2024-10-03 . irelandelection.com.
  6. News: McLaughlin . Gerry . 2 Mar 2019 . Barry O'Neill stands down after 15 years on Donegal County Council . 3 Oct 2024 . Donegal Democrat.
  7. News: 2 Mar 2019 . Barry O’Neill steps down as Councillor at Fine Gael Convention . 3 Oct 2024 . Highland Radio.
  8. News: 26 Nov 2010 . Pearse Doherty elected in Donegal South West . 3 Oct 2024 . RTÉ News.
  9. News: 11 Feb 2010 . O'Neill is "no George Lee" says veteran TD . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220228/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/o-neill-is-quot-no-george-lee-quot-says-veteran-td-1-2001980 . 23 Sep 2015 . 3 Oct 2024 . Donegal Democrat.
  10. Web site: Martin . Roy . 3 Oct 2014 . PPI Awards: Full winners list for 2014 . 3 Oct 2024 . radiotoday.ie.
  11. Web site: Radio Award winners revealed at #IMRO18 . 3 Oct 2024 . IMRO Radio Awards . 4.
  12. News: RTÉ Sport: Barry O'Neill . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101017164039/http://www.rte.ie/sport/radio/sundaysport/theteam/oneillb.html . 17 October 2010 . RTÉ Radio.