Anger after RTE Irish commentary for Euros not available in North

Sinn Fein Councillor, Kevin Campbell, has described the absence of RTE commentary in Irish in the North during the Euros as an insult.

Colr. Campbell described the anomaly as an “insult to Irish language speakers” in the North.

The Irish broadcaster will provide commentary in Irish for all three of the Republic of Ireland’s group games at the Euros in France.

“When it was announced that RTÉ was to make commentary available during Ireland’s soccer games in the Euros I welcomed it,” said. Colr. Campbell.

“Now RTÉ have confirmed that viewers in the North will be blocked from accessing the Irish language commentary.

“This is unacceptable and an insult to Irish speakers not only in the north, but across Ireland,” he added.

Colr. Campbell went on to reference the Good Friday Agreement as reason why RTE should provide Irish commentary to viewers in the North.

“Access to RTÉ services was contained in the Good Friday Agreement and this partitionist attempt to roll back on that flies in the face of the agreement.

“The Irish language goes beyond borders and RTÉ need to recognise that and make the commentary available throughout the 32 counties of Ireland.”

The ‘Journal’ contacted RTE and is waiting for a response.