RTÉ’s axing of Ryan Tubridy divides public opinion in Ireland

Ryan Tubridy, pictured, had not accepted his role in the scandal over under-declared payments, said RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

Ireland’s national broadcaster faces an uncertain future after axing its star presenter, Ryan Tubridy, in a scandal over under-declared payments.

RTÉ surprised the public and divided opinion by announcing Tubridy would not return to the airwaves, capping two months of turmoil over accounting and governance practices that has cast doubt on the organisation’s future funding.