RTÉ criticised for failing to cover champion's return to Mayo

Councillors in the Westport-Belmullet municipal district have lambasted RTE for failing to give due recognition to a female boxer from Mayo who won a European gold medal last month. 

Westport elite boxer Shannon Sweeney was congratulated by councillors on her recent win for Ireland in the light flyweight 50kg category, with Cllr Brendan Mulroy describing it as "a fantastic achievement". However, Cllr Mulroy criticised RTÉ for not having televised the homecoming celebrations for the star performer, despite television crews being in the area to mark the official opening of the hand-made stepping stone route along the Croagh Patrick pilgrim path.

“It was wonderful to see all out celebrating Shannon’s win," Cllr Mulroy told last week's meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District. "We have had a world youth title win with Ray Moylette before but never an elite gold medal European win from Westport. She is a role model for a lot of people in this town and country because she represents Ireland and congratulations must go to St Anne’s Boxing Club on that.

“But it is regrettable and disgraceful that RTÉ was not there to welcome her and [Roscommon boxer] Aoife O’Rourke home, particularly as they are two young women from the West of Ireland representing women in sport. RTÉ did not see fit to send a camera, not alone to Dublin Airport to welcome the girls home but also to Westport for the welcome home.

“People have been critical of RTÉ and of paying their television licences over the last 10 years and I can clearly see why. Because if we are going to pay into it for sport and RTÉ is making money out of it, then they shouldn’t have to be asked about promoting women’s sport.

“The Director General of RTÉ should take it on the chin if this is the way he is going to treat people. I don’t want to tar these two girls’ performances, but RTÉ has failed miserably in their coverage of the West of Ireland and also failed Shannon here. It is simply not good enough. 

"We have all heard of the saying ‘to hell or to Connacht’ and that still rates in Montrose. And when people issue calls not to support the TV licence fees, I would fully support that and I ask the [municipal district] manager to write to them to make this known.” 

This proposal was seconded by Cllr Gerry Coyle, who said he was not surprised at RTÉ not covering the event.

"We brought world titles to Geesala before that were never mentioned. But if there is a bit of bad news in Erris or someone is doing anything out of the way in the town, they would be down.” 

Cllr Peter Flynn said Shannon is "an absolute role model and inspiration to so many".

“Hard work does pay and it really has in her case... she is an absolutely brilliant person and so humble. I am so happy for her and St Anne’s Boxing Club.” 

He added that RTÉ only had to make a 10-minute drive from the filming at Croagh Patrick to Westport Town Hall for the homecoming celebrations, but did not see fit to do so.

Cllr Christy Hyland praised Shannon for her extraordinary commitment to her sport. He also extended congratulations to her coach Martin Brennan, who gave a lot of time out of his own business to her training – "a great example of volunteerism at its best”. 

Other councillors joined in in the congratulations to Shannon.