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TV3

George Hook: I'll quit if Denis O'Brien is convicted of malfeasance

Hook on tribunals, media ownership and Rupert Murdoch…

IN A PASSIONATE decry of Ireland’s tribunals, George Hook told Vincent Brown last night that they “have been nothing but a reason to fill newspaper space”.

Speaking on TV3′s Tonight with Vincent Browne, Hook questioned the value tribunals offer to the public as have no grounding in law.

Asked about the Moriarty Report and its inferences to his boss Denis O’Brien and controversial TD Michael Lowry, the radio and television commentator repeated that tribunals have no grounding in legal fact.

If Denis O’Brien is convicted in a court of malfeasance or financial irregularity, I will resign forthwith from any organisation owned by him.

Before making his opening statements on the programme, Hook identified himself as Browne’s “patsy”, predicting lots of “rolled eyes and sighs” once his boss’s name was mentioned.

“What I find strange about the whole thing is that as soon as we mention the name of O’Brien, we are told we are willing to say anything,” he added.

Discussing the tussle between O’Brien and Tony O’Reilly for control of Independent News and Media, Hook described the pair as two of Ireland’s greatest businessmen.

However, he said the power struggle had only led to losses for INM shareholders who had suffered monetarily because of the diving price of shares.

Adding to the debate about media ownership, Hook said he believes the “real problem” lies with failure of media regulators.

We wouldn’t have a discussion about media ownership and any person’s power if this country had firm and strong regulation in terms of ownership. As long as somebody can buy a newspaper or radio with impunity, they will do it.

Throughout the programme, the Newstalk presenter continued to question Rupert Murdoch’s involvement in newspapers in Ireland.

“Why do journalists of such great integrity not turn around and say they will not work for an organisation that hacks into people’s emails?” he asked.

Read: Dunphy, Hook, Smyth, O’Brien and Byrne – the Twitter war>

Watch: Tonight with Vincent Browne from 16 April>

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37 Comments
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    Mute John
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    Aug 28th 2015, 3:56 PM

    I bought a ticket in the last General Election for a Better Ireland, turns out it was a fake too.

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    Mute Garwig
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:02 PM

    Brilliant , Me too turns out they didn’t even sign the contract either.

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    Mute Mr N
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    Aug 28th 2015, 3:55 PM

    Ticketmaster aren’t exactly innocent in this, with their ticket reselling companies.

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    Mute John S
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    Aug 28th 2015, 6:44 PM

    Well if somebody buys a ticket to Electric Picnic 2014, more the fool he….

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    Mute funkybuscuits
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:17 PM

    this is just propaganda to make sure you buy tickets from ticketmaster! I have 2 spare ones for electric picnic anyway if anyone’s looking. legit as fcuk

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    Mute Mark Noonan
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:37 PM

    Are they more legit than your user name?

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    Mute funkybuscuits
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:59 PM

    slightly funkier

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    Mute RMcG
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:45 PM

    My rugby world cup tickets were stolen, I moved address & the mail redirect didn’t work, someone signed for them with an illegible squiggle, RWC have cancelled the barcodes on the tickets and the tickets are now void. I just hope some unsuspecting person doesn’t buy them from whoever stole them. Whenever you buy tickets from someone without a licence to sell them you are talking a huge risk.

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    Mute RMcG
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:46 PM

    *taking not talking obviously :)

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    Mute Fiona K
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    Aug 28th 2015, 6:25 PM

    Ticketmaster used to advise to do your ticket exchange at a Ticketmaster outlet and they would verify the authenticity of the tickets for you. Are they no longer offering that service? Also stop posting pictures of your tickets to social media as the barcodes can then be copied!

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    Mute Michael cunnane
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    Aug 28th 2015, 5:05 PM

    I’m looking forward to this year’s eccentric picnic..uh oh :-o

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    Mute John Joe
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:03 PM

    I used to buy the tickets and give the touters the money when I got into the event, not much that can go wrong

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    Mute Mr N
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:31 PM

    From your point of view no, but what if you don’t pay them?

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    Mute Ray Farrelly
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    Aug 28th 2015, 4:58 PM

    Well you won’t be getting a counterfeit beating.

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    Mute Paul Cooper
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    Aug 30th 2015, 4:51 AM

    Beware of fake acts

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    Mute Joe Haverty
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    Aug 29th 2015, 5:46 AM

    Gas, sure they’re in control of security features on their tickets, perhaps improve them!

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