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RTÉ receives thousands of complaints over mock news report about God

RTÉ has received 4,750 complaints over a sketch that aired during their NYE Countdown Show.

During the programme, a satirical ‘Waterford Whispers News’ report described God as “the latest figure to be implicated in ongoing sexual harassment scandals”.

The broadcaster has since confirmed they have received thousands of complaints over the mock news report.

In a statement, a spokesperson told Independent.ie: “Since Friday, RTÉ has received approximately 3,500 emails and 1,250 calls regarding the Waterford Whispers sketch segment in the RTÉ One New Year’s Eve Countdown programme.”

“This takes into account emails to RTÉ’s Complaints and Information Offices, as well as calls to RTÉ’s Information Office and to RTE’s main reception.”

After the clip aired on RTÉ One on NYE, Archbishop Eamon Martin branded the sketch “deeply offensive and blasphemous” on Twitter, and called for it to be removed from the RTÉ Player.

The broadcaster later apologised for causing offence, but the clip is still available to view on the player.

In a statement, an RTÉ spokesman said: “RTÉ recognises that matters which can cause offence naturally differ from person to person, within comedy and satire in particular.”

“Having reviewed the feedback and complaints received up to this point, RTÉ wishes to apologise to those who were offended by the segment.”

“The formal complaints received by RTÉ are being entered into our complaints system and will be responded to in accordance with the relevant statutory process.”

In the mock news report, former RTÉ News presenter Aengus MacGrianna said: “In yet another shocking revelation this year God became the latest figure to be implicated in ongoing sexual harassment scandals.”

“The five billion year old stood accused of forcing himself on a young Middle-Eastern migrant and allegedly impregnating her against her will before being sentenced to two years in prison with the last 24 months suspended.”

The clip also showed footage of a bearded man dressed in white being led away by a guard, while shouting: “It was 2,000 years ago!”

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