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Kevin Reynolds (priest)

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The Reverend
Kevin Reynolds
Born (1947-01-01) 1 January 1947 (age 78)
County Galway, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Alma materSt. Patrick’s College, Maynooth
Occupation(s)Roman Catholic priest, missionary
Years active1971–present
Known forBeing falsely accused of child sexual abuse in RTÉ’s "Mission to Prey"
ReligionChristianity (Roman Catholic)
ChurchLatin Church
Ordained7 June 1971
Congregations served
Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
Offices held
Parish Priest, Ahascragh, County Galway

Kevin Reynolds (born c. 1947) is an Irish Roman Catholic priest who was falsely accused of raping and impregnating a Kenyan teenager in a 2011 RTÉ documentary titled "Mission to Prey", broadcast on the Prime Time programme. The baseless allegations, made by journalist Aoife Kavanagh, led to controversy in Ireland, leading to RTÉ’s apology, a libel settlement, and a government inquiry into the broadcaster’s editorial practices.[1][2]

Early life and priesthood

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Born around 1947 in County Galway, Ireland, Kevin Reynolds grew up in a rural community with strong Catholic traditions.[3] He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and was ordained a priest on 7 June 1971 for the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.[4] Reynolds later joined the Kiltegan Fathers (St. Patrick's Missionary Society), serving as a missionary in Kenya's Diocese of Kakamega during the 1980s, focusing on education and pastoral care.[5]

False allegations and RTÉ controversy

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Main article: Mission to Prey

In May 2011, RTÉ's Prime Time aired "Mission to Prey", a documentary produced by journalist Aoife Kavanagh, which alleged that Reynolds, during his missionary work in Kenya, had raped a minor named Veneranda, impregnating her and fathering a child named Sheila. The programme claimed Reynolds had secretly provided financial support to Sheila for years, with Veneranda and Sheila appearing on air to support the allegations.[6]

Reynolds, then serving as parish priest in Ahascragh, County Galway, had offered to undergo DNA testing to prove his innocence before the broadcast, but RTÉ reportedly declined.[6] After the programme aired, Reynolds was suspended from his parish duties and faced significant public stigma.[3] Subsequent independent DNA tests, conducted by both RTÉ and Reynolds' legal team, confirmed he was not Sheila's father, proving the allegations were false.[7]

The revelation of the false accusations sparked controversy. RTÉ issued a public apology to Reynolds on 19 November 2011, and Prime Time Investigates was suspended.[7][2] RTÉ’s Director-General, Noel Curran, described the broadcast as "one of the gravest editorial mistakes" in the broadcaster's history.[8] Prominent RTÉ figures, including Mike Murphy, John Bowman, and Sean O’Rourke, publicly condemned the libel.[9] The Irish Missionary Union criticised RTÉ for retaining Kavanagh on its Morning Ireland programme, citing "double standards".[10]

In November 2011, Reynolds reached an undisclosed out-of-court libel settlement with RTÉ. His solicitor also requested that Justice Minister Alan Shatter, who had initially endorsed the documentary, publicly clarify Reynolds' innocence, which Shatter did.[11] The Irish government ordered an inquiry by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, which found that RTÉ had breached broadcasting standards, leading to reforms in editorial oversight.[12]

Reinstatement and legacy

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Following the settlement, Reynolds was reinstated as parish priest in Ahascragh and resumed his ministry.[3] The case was cited as an example of the dangers of false allegations and media sensationalism, including in the context of the Catholic Church’s abuse scandals.[6] It also prompted discussions on journalistic ethics and the need for robust fact-checking, influencing Irish broadcasting regulations.[12] As of 2025, Reynolds continues to serve as a priest in the Diocese of Galway.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Irish TV Network Defames Innocent Priest, Issues Apology". The Media Report. November 2011. Archived from the original on 20 November 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Republic's Government Order Probe into RTE Fr Reynolds Libel Case". BBC News. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b c McGarry, Patsy (3 December 2011). "Fr Kevin Reynolds: A Life Restored". The Irish Times. p. 7. Retrieved 18 June 2025.[dead link]
  4. ^ a b "Fr. Kevin Reynolds". Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora. Archived from the original on 10 May 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Our Missionaries". St. Patrick’s Missionary Society. Retrieved 18 June 2025.[dead link]
  6. ^ a b c Allen, John L. (2 December 2011). "A New Symbol of False Sex Abuse Allegations". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Apology – Fr Kevin Reynolds". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  8. ^ Cullen, Paul; McGreevy, Ronan (23 November 2011). "RTÉ Shelves Investigative Series and Concedes 'Grave Mistake'". The Irish Times. p. 1. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  9. ^ Gittens, Geraldine (24 November 2011). "RTÉ Stars Slam 'Shameful' Libel as Chiefs Step Aside". Evening Herald. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  10. ^ "Reporter's Broadcasts in Wake of Libel Finding 'Unfair'". The Irish Times. 19 November 2011. p. 5. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  11. ^ Brennan, Michael (26 November 2011). "Shatter in U-turn on His 'Rash' Support for Prime Time". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  12. ^ a b "BAI Report on RTÉ Prime Time Investigates". Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2025.[dead link]
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