Northern Ireland

RTÉ viewers criticism after graphic claims Donegal part of NI

The error was made during the broadcast of the Nine O'Clock News when a map of Great Britain and Ireland was shown behind presenter Sharon Ní Bheoláin
The error was made during the broadcast of the Nine O'Clock News when a map of Great Britain and Ireland was shown behind presenter Sharon Ní Bheoláin The error was made during the broadcast of the Nine O'Clock News when a map of Great Britain and Ireland was shown behind presenter Sharon Ní Bheoláin

VIEWERS of an RTÉ news bulletin have criticised the broadcaster after a graphic put Donegal in Northern Ireland.

The error appeared on the Nine O'Clock News on Thursday when a map of Britain and Ireland was shown behind presenter Sharon Ní Bheoláin.

The colours of the Union flag distinguished the UK, including the north, from the Republic, but it incorrectly included Donegal as part of Northern Ireland.

The error appeared during a report on the issues hauliers are facing due to new checks on deliveries to the north from Britain following Brexit.

RTÉ viewers quickly took to social media to criticise the error.

Donegal councillor Jack Murray of Sinn Féin wrote on Twitter: "Hang on, what? Donegal is most definitely the forgotten county as far as RTÉ is concerned.

"The partitionist ethos of our 'national' station is bad enough but look at the shape of this map! They've literally forgotten where Donegal even is."

Another Twitter user said: "RTÉ check out our Donegal map portal to see where the border is. Geography matters! Let's get it right."

Another added: "Seeing as its actually quite a large county and contains the most northerly point on the whole island - someone deserves to have their knuckles severely rapped over this.

"I generate maps in a work context - and if I missed Donegal, there would be hell to pay."

An RTÉ spokeswoman last night said: "We sincerely apologise to viewers for the graphic error which appeared on screen during Thursday night's Nine O'Clock News. The mistake in the graphic has now been rectified."