Letterkenny's Ciara Doherty to leave NK Management as RTÉ controversy continues

Virgin Media presenter Ciara Doherty from Letterkenny, who presents The Tonight Show is expected to leave NK Management. 

Ms Doherty who has been working in TV and radio for over a decade is reported to have told the Irish Independent she is leaving NK Management.

Ms Doherty said she wanted viewers to be able to trust her to be “fully impartial.”

RTÉ hosts Claire Byrne and Joe Duffy have been given the opportunity by RTÉ to cover their own agent’s Oireachtas committee showdown with politicians next week. The publicly funded broadcaster, which is facing its third week of controversy has said it will not be asking some of its top presenters to step aside for coverage next week.

This is despite Noel Kelly having negotiated their salaries, as well as the controversial secret deal for Ryan Tubridy.

Mr Kelly has not spoken publicly since the scandal broke. Many media requests for comment, from both Mr Kelly and his clients, have been ignored.

Mr Kelly is due to appear before both the Oireachtas Media Committee and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) next Tuesday, and will be questioned about his role in the payments controversy that has rocked the national broadcaster.

He will appear alongside Tubridy, who has issued statements but not spoken publicly since revelations about his undeclared pay came to light. Mr Kelly’s client portfolio includes key figures in RTÉ’s news and current affairs coverage.

RTÉ Radio 1 shows such as Today with Claire Byrne, Liveline and Drivetime feature Byrne, Duffy and Cormac Ó hEadhra, all NK Management signees.

Earlier this month, RTE 2FM star Lottie Ryan announced her departure with Noel Kelly's talent agency, NK Management which also represents Ryan Tubridy.