RTÉ to shake up flagship news programmes with Tommy Meskill to co-host Six One
Kenneth Fox
RTÉ has confirmed new presenters across a number of its flagship news programmes.
Tommy Meskill will be the new co-presenter of the Six One News with Sharon Tobin on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Journalists and broadcasters Sarah McInerney and Justin McCarthy will join Gavin Jennings and Audrey Carville as regular presenters of Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland's most-listened-to radio programme.
Current political correspondent Paul Cunningham will now present This Week on RTÉ Radio 1 every Sunday at 1pm.
The popular Behind the Story podcast will also see Paul Cunningham join Fran McNulty and others as presenters across the week. The new line-ups come on foot of the recent launch of RTÉ Radio 1’s new weekday schedule.
Announcing the new appointments, Director of RTÉ News & Current Affairs, Deirdre McCarthy said: "These flagship news programmes are among our most-watched and listened-to, representing the best of our daily news gathering and trusted public service journalism.
"Tommy, Sarah, Justin and Paul join our dedicated RTÉ News & Current Affairs presentation team, who strive every day to bring, honestly and clearly, with integrity and credibility, the stories that matter to you. They are all accomplished journalists, who will continue to ask the probing questions, hold those in power to account, and represent the public interest."
Tommy Meskill has been a journalist with RTÉ News for nearly ten years, most recently appointed London Correspondent.
He was previously part of RTÉ's political unit, reporting from Leinster House and the European Parliament.
Clare native Tommy joined the RTÉ newsroom in 2016, working across several different programmes, including news2day and Morning Ireland. He has also presented programmes such as RTÉ Radio 1's This Week and RTÉ One's European Parliament Report.
Reacting to his appointment, Tommy Meskill said: "It's a huge honour to take on the role of co-presenter of the Six One News, alongside Sharon Tobin. The Six One News plays a crucial role in shaping the news agenda in Ireland.
"Its strength depends on the work of almost the entire newsroom, which is why it's such a cherished part of what we do. I'm really looking forward to getting started and being part of a programme that continues to bring accurate, engaging and trusted news to our audience."
Sarah McInerney presents Prime Time on RTÉ One every Tuesday with Miriam O’Callaghan. She co-hosted Drivetime on RTÉ Radio 1 for five years and has also previously presented RTÉ Radio 1's Today programme and Late Debate. Before moving to RTÉ, Sarah was the host of Newstalk Drive and was Political Correspondent with The Sunday Times for eight years.
Sarah McInerney spoke about becoming a presenter of the No 1 radio programme in Ireland: “Morning Ireland is Ireland’s number one radio programme for a reason. It sets the agenda for the day and reaches people right across the country.
"It’s a privilege to join such a strong team and to work on a programme with that kind of impact. Alongside Prime Time, Ireland’s biggest television current affairs show, it’s wonderful to play a part in sharing the stories that matter most. I can't wait to get started.
Cork native Justin McCarthy was a political correspondent on independent radio for almost a decade before joining Morning Ireland as a reporter in 2013.
Following his time on the flagship programme, he became a member of RTÉ's political staff. In 2018 he began presenting This Week on RTÉ Radio 1. He holds five IMRO radio awards for news broadcasting and reporting.
Justin McCarthy said: “I know the responsibility that comes with presenting a programme of this stature. I look forward to working with an excellent team to continue delivering the insightful, fair, and rigorous journalism that Morning Ireland listeners rightly expect.”
