Brendan O'Connor (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Brendan O'Connor is an Irish
journalist, comedian, media personality and retired pop star. Since 2010 he has presented The Saturday Night Show
on RTÉ One
. O'Connor is a columnist for the Sunday Independent
, and is editor of the newspaper's Life Magazine.
O'Connor's pop career has included a stint as a member of The Frank and Walters
. He then moved on to form Fr. Brian & The Fun Loving Cardinals, a one-hit wonder
known for the hit single "Who's in the House
?" which was a satire on God
and Jesus Christ.
O'Connor has pursued an active and colourful media career over several decades in Ireland. During the 1990s he appeared on Don't Feed the Gondolas
, as well as on a number of other TV programmes. During the 2000s he served a member of the judging panel on Raidió Teilifís Éireann
's (RTÉ) You're a Star
TV talent contest before presenting The Saturday Night Show.
area of Cork
in County Cork
. He is a past pupil of Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh
, Bishopstown, Cork. During his time there as a student, he was runner-up in the All-Ireland Schools' Debating Competition. He is also a graduate of University College Cork (UCC) — where he was Recording Secretary of the UCC Philosophical Society
.
He married Sarah Caden in 1999. She is also a journalist with the Sunday Independent and she is the daughter of John Caden
, an independent television producer. The couple have two children, a daughter, born in early 2008, Anna and a daughter born in August 2010, Mary.Mary, O'Connor wrote about her diagnosis with Down syndrome
in his Sunday Independent column in September 2010, drawing a warm response from readers.
His favoured books include De Niro's Game
, which he described as "a real page turner" that "fairly rocks along for a book that won a prize".
. He moved to Dublin in the mid-1990s. Soon after this, he started freelance work with the Sunday Independent, one of Ireland's best-selling newspapers. At the same time he also performed a comedy routine at a well-known Dublin venue. Here he was noticed by TV producers from RTÉ and subsequently appeared on Don't Feed the Gondolas
, a short-lived comedy television programme broadcast by RTÉ.
O'Connor, as a member of the band Fr. Brian & The Fun Loving Cardinals, produced a single, "Who's in the House
?", which spent 12 weeks in the Irish Singles Chart
, peaking at number 3. The song was a novelty number that played on the popularity of the TV series Father Ted
. O'Connor sang it while dressed as a Roman Catholic priest (Fr. Brian) and it featured such lines as:
The name "Fun Lovin' Cardinals" is itself a pun on the band Fun Lovin' Criminals
. The character Fr. Brian had appeared on Don't Feed the Gondolas, and the popularity of the song led to its release, and subsequent chart position.
, a charitable version of the You're a Star
TV talent contest. Subsequently, he appeared as a judge on the main series of You're a Star. This was a televised talent show which selected what is deemed to be the best Irish act from among many. The winner was awarded a cash prize and groomed for a career in the entertainment industry. It had a niche following - primarily teenagers. Much of the show's popularity was attributed to the robust manner with which O'Connor treated many of the contestants - many of whom were gullible young hopefuls. He frequently evoked controversy by his comments on the show. However, on You're a Star O'Connor claimed that he "is only saying what the people at home are thinking". The show was cancelled after the 2008 season.
, anti-intellectual, right-wing political views, and puts these across in his articles in the Sunday Independent. Regular targets of O'Connor's ire are Sinn Féin
, anti-war protesters (whom he labels disparagingly as "anti-American"), travellers
, public sector workers and students. He dislikes public sector workers describing them as a "privileged elite".
In many of his newspaper articles on Irish politics, O'Connor strongly supports Fianna Fáil
. He also regularly uses his newspaper articles to heap praise upon powerful figures in Irish life. He was also a supporter of Bertie Ahern
and has described Ahern as "a great Taoiseach
".
O'Connor frequently writes an article that appears on the bottom corner of the front page of the Sunday Independent. He also edits the paper's Life magazine, a glossy supplement to the paper. Articles by O'Connor also appear throughout many other sections of the paper. He writes on an extremely broad range of topics—which can include any subject. However, he regularly writes on subjects such as politics, travel, entertainment and gossip (primarily relating to well-known figures in Irish life).
His writing has been described as shallow, bipolar and at times racist. Irish political magazine The Phoenix
, has criticised his journalism, saying:
in his articles simply and affectionately as "Bertie". His "relationship" with Ahern has been tense. In August 2003 he had a row with Ahern on a flight returning from Ahern's daughter's wedding in France, when Ahern refused to grant him an interview. O'Connor has also criticised Ahern at times, like in his article in the Sunday Independent, 9 May 2004, where he wrote:
In this same article O'Connor lamented the expulsion of Beverley Flynn
, a TD
, from the Fianna Fáil Party for the second time arising out of corruption charges, stating that she was "indeed a class act and is someone we need more of in Irish politics." He also referred to her as a "principled woman".
However, criticism of Ahern by O'Connor has been minimal and, overall, O'Connor has overwhelmingly backed Ahern, especially when such support was most needed. O'Connor, along with Eoghan Harris
, strongly supported Bertie Ahern during the 2007 general election and during his appearances before the Mahon Tribunal. Ahern subsequently appointed Harris as a Senator
.
As pressure grew on Bertie Ahern due to revelations from the Mahon Tribunal (regarding unexplained payments Ahern had received in the 1990s), O’Connor called for the Tribunal to be shut down — O'Connor began his article in the Sunday Independent, 9 March 2008, as follows:
However, on Wednesday, 2 April 2008, Bertie Ahern announced he would be resigning as Taoiseach
and did so on 6 May 2008. Investigations into payments Ahern received are ongoing.
On Friday, 19 February 2010, Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea
resigned as Minister for Defence
for committing perjury in front of the High Court
. Two days later in his weekly column in the Sunday Independent, O'Connor entered into a vitriolic attack on the politicians who called for his resignation, especially Green Party
Senator Dan Boyle
:
, O'Connor wrote an article urging his readers to invest in property, saying that "the really smart and ballsy guys are the guys who are buying when no one else is" and "if I wasn't already massively over-exposed to the property market by virtue of owning a reasonable home. I'd be buying property". (Several years later, O'Connor castigated a journalist who brought up the subject of the article during an interview, claiming that it was a valid opinion originating from original thinking).
However, in June 2009, O'Connor wrote an article blaming the governor of the Irish Central Bank
, John Hurley, and his "cronies" for being responsible for "excessive lending" and for O'Connor and others being in negative equity. In January 2010 O'Connor wrote of the media's role in the Irish property market when he said "we curse the politicians, the banks and the media that encouraged the madness".
by the United States
government.
He wrote frequent articles about the model Katy French
, who died on 6 December 2007. French, however, publicly announced her disdain for O' Connor deeming him a "gutter journalist".
In early 2004 O'Connor enraged some of his work colleagues by strongly supporting management during an industrial relations crisis over forced redundancy.
on RTÉ One
. His controversial interview with Michael Barrymore
brought him to the attention of the British press. His interview with Oliver Callan
, during which the impressionist announced he was gay, brought him to the attention of the international press.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
journalist, comedian, media personality and retired pop star. Since 2010 he has presented The Saturday Night Show
The Saturday Night Show
The Saturday Night Show is an Irish chat show hosted by Brendan O'Connor that has been broadcast on RTÉ One since 2010. The show features guest interviews, audience participation and live music...
on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
. O'Connor is a columnist for the Sunday Independent
Sunday Independent
The Sunday Independent is a broadsheet Sunday newspaper published in Ireland by Independent News and Media plc. The newspaper is edited by Aengus Fanning, and is the biggest selling Irish Sunday newspaper by a large margin ; average circulation of 291,323 between June 2004 and January 2005,...
, and is editor of the newspaper's Life Magazine.
O'Connor's pop career has included a stint as a member of The Frank and Walters
The Frank and Walters
The Frank and Walters are an alternative rock band from Cork city in Ireland. The band was founded in 1990 by Paul Linehan , his brother Niall Linehan , who was replaced by Kevin Pedreschi in 2004, and Ashley Keating . They took the band name in honour of two eccentric Cork characters...
. He then moved on to form Fr. Brian & The Fun Loving Cardinals, a one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
known for the hit single "Who's in the House
Who's in the House
"Who's in the House" was a Novelty song and hit single by Fr. Brian and the Fun Lovin' Cardinals. It reached number three in the Irish Singles Chart, and spent 12 weeks in the top 40 in 2000.The song came from Brendan O'Connor's satirical character "Fr...
?" which was a satire on God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and Jesus Christ.
O'Connor has pursued an active and colourful media career over several decades in Ireland. During the 1990s he appeared on Don't Feed the Gondolas
Don't Feed The Gondolas
Don't Feed the Gondolas is an Irish comedy panel show, similar in format to the BBC's Have I Got News For You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, that ran for four series on Network 2 between 1997 and 2001...
, as well as on a number of other TV programmes. During the 2000s he served a member of the judging panel on Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
's (RTÉ) You're a Star
You're A Star
You're a Star was a singing contest in Ireland,similar to th X Factor in the United Kingdom and American Idol in the USA created by Screentime ShinAwiL and Radio Telefís Éireann. It was shown weekly on RTÉ One over the winter months of each year...
TV talent contest before presenting The Saturday Night Show.
Early and private life
O'Connor grew up in the BishopstownBishopstown
Bishopstown is a southwestern suburb of Cork, Ireland with a population of 24,136 people. Baile an Easpaig, anglicised Bishopstown, consists of two townlands which are Ballineaspigmore and Ballineaspigbeg...
area of Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He is a past pupil of Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh
Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh
Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh is a voluntary secondary school for boys run under the jurisdiction and patronage of the Presentation Brothers in Bishopstown, County Cork, Ireland.- History :...
, Bishopstown, Cork. During his time there as a student, he was runner-up in the All-Ireland Schools' Debating Competition. He is also a graduate of University College Cork (UCC) — where he was Recording Secretary of the UCC Philosophical Society
UCC Philosophical Society
The UCC Philosophical Society, Commonly known as the Philosoph, is the largest debating society at University College Cork, Ireland. The Philosoph was founded in 1850, making it the oldest society at UCC...
.
He married Sarah Caden in 1999. She is also a journalist with the Sunday Independent and she is the daughter of John Caden
John Caden
John Caden is an Irish independent television producer. He began his media career in RTÉ in the 1970s. In 1985 he won a Jacob's Award for producing The Gay Byrne Show.For most of his time in RTÉ, Caden was a member of the Workers' Party of Ireland...
, an independent television producer. The couple have two children, a daughter, born in early 2008, Anna and a daughter born in August 2010, Mary.Mary, O'Connor wrote about her diagnosis with Down syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, or Down's syndrome, trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866. The condition was clinically described earlier in the 19th...
in his Sunday Independent column in September 2010, drawing a warm response from readers.
His favoured books include De Niro's Game
De Niro's Game
De Niro's Game is the debut novel by Lebanese-Canadian writer Rawi Hage, originally published in 2006.The novel's primary characters are Bassam and George, lifelong friends living in wartorn Beirut...
, which he described as "a real page turner" that "fairly rocks along for a book that won a prize".
Comedy, TV debut and hit single
Initially, O'Connor attempted to become a comedian and was also a singer in a number of bands while still a student at UCC, but with limited success, including the band that eventually became The Frank and WaltersThe Frank and Walters
The Frank and Walters are an alternative rock band from Cork city in Ireland. The band was founded in 1990 by Paul Linehan , his brother Niall Linehan , who was replaced by Kevin Pedreschi in 2004, and Ashley Keating . They took the band name in honour of two eccentric Cork characters...
. He moved to Dublin in the mid-1990s. Soon after this, he started freelance work with the Sunday Independent, one of Ireland's best-selling newspapers. At the same time he also performed a comedy routine at a well-known Dublin venue. Here he was noticed by TV producers from RTÉ and subsequently appeared on Don't Feed the Gondolas
Don't Feed The Gondolas
Don't Feed the Gondolas is an Irish comedy panel show, similar in format to the BBC's Have I Got News For You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, that ran for four series on Network 2 between 1997 and 2001...
, a short-lived comedy television programme broadcast by RTÉ.
O'Connor, as a member of the band Fr. Brian & The Fun Loving Cardinals, produced a single, "Who's in the House
Who's in the House
"Who's in the House" was a Novelty song and hit single by Fr. Brian and the Fun Lovin' Cardinals. It reached number three in the Irish Singles Chart, and spent 12 weeks in the top 40 in 2000.The song came from Brendan O'Connor's satirical character "Fr...
?", which spent 12 weeks in the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
, peaking at number 3. The song was a novelty number that played on the popularity of the TV series Father Ted
Father Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
. O'Connor sang it while dressed as a Roman Catholic priest (Fr. Brian) and it featured such lines as:
- "What's the time? It's time for God",
- "At the age of 33 he was nailed to a cross - some call him Jesus, I call him boss",
- "Who’s in the house? The Lord is in the house", and
- "We're putting the dick back in Benediction."
The name "Fun Lovin' Cardinals" is itself a pun on the band Fun Lovin' Criminals
Fun Lovin' Criminals
The Fun Lovin' Criminals is an American alternative hip hop / alternative rock group from New York City. Their musical style is primarily eclectic, covering styles such as hip hop, rock, funk, blues and jazz. Their songs often deal with life in New York City, as well as urban life in general...
. The character Fr. Brian had appeared on Don't Feed the Gondolas, and the popularity of the song led to its release, and subsequent chart position.
You're a Star TV talent contest
In 2005 O'Connor made his debut as a judge on Charity You're a StarCharity You're A Star
Charity You're a Star is a talent contest created by Radio Telefís Éireann, where various Irish celebrities sing to raise money for the charity of their choice...
, a charitable version of the You're a Star
You're A Star
You're a Star was a singing contest in Ireland,similar to th X Factor in the United Kingdom and American Idol in the USA created by Screentime ShinAwiL and Radio Telefís Éireann. It was shown weekly on RTÉ One over the winter months of each year...
TV talent contest. Subsequently, he appeared as a judge on the main series of You're a Star. This was a televised talent show which selected what is deemed to be the best Irish act from among many. The winner was awarded a cash prize and groomed for a career in the entertainment industry. It had a niche following - primarily teenagers. Much of the show's popularity was attributed to the robust manner with which O'Connor treated many of the contestants - many of whom were gullible young hopefuls. He frequently evoked controversy by his comments on the show. However, on You're a Star O'Connor claimed that he "is only saying what the people at home are thinking". The show was cancelled after the 2008 season.
Journalist with Sunday Independent
O'Connor is known for his conservativeConservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
, anti-intellectual, right-wing political views, and puts these across in his articles in the Sunday Independent. Regular targets of O'Connor's ire are Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
, anti-war protesters (whom he labels disparagingly as "anti-American"), travellers
Irish Traveller
Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...
, public sector workers and students. He dislikes public sector workers describing them as a "privileged elite".
In many of his newspaper articles on Irish politics, O'Connor strongly supports Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
. He also regularly uses his newspaper articles to heap praise upon powerful figures in Irish life. He was also a supporter of Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
and has described Ahern as "a great Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
".
O'Connor frequently writes an article that appears on the bottom corner of the front page of the Sunday Independent. He also edits the paper's Life magazine, a glossy supplement to the paper. Articles by O'Connor also appear throughout many other sections of the paper. He writes on an extremely broad range of topics—which can include any subject. However, he regularly writes on subjects such as politics, travel, entertainment and gossip (primarily relating to well-known figures in Irish life).
His writing has been described as shallow, bipolar and at times racist. Irish political magazine The Phoenix
The Phoenix (magazine)
The Phoenix is Ireland's best selling political and current affairs magazine. Inspired by the British magazine Private Eye, and a source of investigative journalism in Ireland...
, has criticised his journalism, saying:
Support for Bertie Ahern and Fianna Fáil
O'Connor frequently refers to Bertie AhernBertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
in his articles simply and affectionately as "Bertie". His "relationship" with Ahern has been tense. In August 2003 he had a row with Ahern on a flight returning from Ahern's daughter's wedding in France, when Ahern refused to grant him an interview. O'Connor has also criticised Ahern at times, like in his article in the Sunday Independent, 9 May 2004, where he wrote:
In this same article O'Connor lamented the expulsion of Beverley Flynn
Beverley Flynn
Beverley Flynn is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. She served as a Teachta Dála for the Mayo constituency from 1997–2011.-Early life and political career:...
, a TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
, from the Fianna Fáil Party for the second time arising out of corruption charges, stating that she was "indeed a class act and is someone we need more of in Irish politics." He also referred to her as a "principled woman".
However, criticism of Ahern by O'Connor has been minimal and, overall, O'Connor has overwhelmingly backed Ahern, especially when such support was most needed. O'Connor, along with Eoghan Harris
Eoghan Harris
Eoghan Harris is an Irish journalist, fiction writer, director, columnist and politician. He currently writes for the Sunday Independent. He was a member of Seanad Éireann from 2007–11, having been nominated by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern....
, strongly supported Bertie Ahern during the 2007 general election and during his appearances before the Mahon Tribunal. Ahern subsequently appointed Harris as a Senator
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
.
As pressure grew on Bertie Ahern due to revelations from the Mahon Tribunal (regarding unexplained payments Ahern had received in the 1990s), O’Connor called for the Tribunal to be shut down — O'Connor began his article in the Sunday Independent, 9 March 2008, as follows:
However, on Wednesday, 2 April 2008, Bertie Ahern announced he would be resigning as Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
and did so on 6 May 2008. Investigations into payments Ahern received are ongoing.
On Friday, 19 February 2010, Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea
Willie O'Dea
Willie O'Dea is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and a Teachta Dála for the Limerick City constituency. He served as the Minister for Defence from September 2004 until 18 February 2010, when he resigned from his post due to controversy over a defamation case.-Early and private life:O'Dea was born...
resigned as Minister for Defence
Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Under new arrangements this department is being merged with the Department of Justice over which Mr. Shatter will also preside....
for committing perjury in front of the High Court
Willie O'Dea affidavit controversy
The Willie O'Dea affidavit controversy or Brothelgate refers to a 2010 political controversy in Ireland surrounding former Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea....
. Two days later in his weekly column in the Sunday Independent, O'Connor entered into a vitriolic attack on the politicians who called for his resignation, especially Green Party
Green Party (Ireland)
The Green Party is a green political party in Ireland. It was founded as the Ecology Party of Ireland in 1981 by Dublin teacher Christopher Fettes. The party became the Green Alliance in 1983 and in 1987 was renamed to its current title in English...
Senator Dan Boyle
Dan Boyle
Daniel Boyle may refer to:*Daniel Boyle , MP for North Mayo, 1910–1918*Dan Boyle , Canadian ice hockey player*Dan Boyle , Irish Green Party politician...
:
Property
O'Connor has been bullish on subject of the Irish property market. In July 2007, four months after the peak of the Irish property bubbleIrish property bubble
The property bubble in the Republic of Ireland began in 2000 and peaked in 2006, as with many other western European countries, with a combination of increased speculative construction and rapidly rising prices....
, O'Connor wrote an article urging his readers to invest in property, saying that "the really smart and ballsy guys are the guys who are buying when no one else is" and "if I wasn't already massively over-exposed to the property market by virtue of owning a reasonable home. I'd be buying property". (Several years later, O'Connor castigated a journalist who brought up the subject of the article during an interview, claiming that it was a valid opinion originating from original thinking).
However, in June 2009, O'Connor wrote an article blaming the governor of the Irish Central Bank
Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland
The Central Bank of Ireland is the financial services regulator of Ireland and historically the central bank. The bank was the issuer of Irish pound banknotes and coinage until the introduction of the euro currency, and now provides this service for the European Central Bank.The bank was founded...
, John Hurley, and his "cronies" for being responsible for "excessive lending" and for O'Connor and others being in negative equity. In January 2010 O'Connor wrote of the media's role in the Irish property market when he said "we curse the politicians, the banks and the media that encouraged the madness".
Other
O'Connor supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government.
He wrote frequent articles about the model Katy French
Katy French
Katy Ellen French was an Irish socialite, model, writer, television personality and charity worker. According to the BBC, "in the space of less than two years, she had become one of Ireland's best-known models and socialites." She collapsed at a friend's house on 2 December 2007 and died on 6...
, who died on 6 December 2007. French, however, publicly announced her disdain for O' Connor deeming him a "gutter journalist".
In early 2004 O'Connor enraged some of his work colleagues by strongly supporting management during an industrial relations crisis over forced redundancy.
The Saturday Night Show
In 2010, O'Connor began hosting TV chat programme The Saturday Night ShowThe Saturday Night Show
The Saturday Night Show is an Irish chat show hosted by Brendan O'Connor that has been broadcast on RTÉ One since 2010. The show features guest interviews, audience participation and live music...
on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
. His controversial interview with Michael Barrymore
Michael Barrymore
Michael Kieron Parker , better known by his stage name Michael Barrymore, is a British comedian who appeared as a presenter of game shows and light entertainment programmes on British television in the 1980s and 1990s. These included Strike It Lucky, My Kind of People, My Kind of Music and Kids Say...
brought him to the attention of the British press. His interview with Oliver Callan
Oliver Callan
Oliver Callan is an Irish vocal and performance satirist and impressionist known for featuring on Nob Nation, Green Tea and The Saturday Night Show. He rose to fame during the 2000s when his daily Nob Nation slots aired on RTÉ Radio...
, during which the impressionist announced he was gay, brought him to the attention of the international press.