RTÉ 2FM boss, Dan Healy has got candid about Louise McSharry’s departure from the station, after working there for 11 years. In a new interview with The Irish Independent he shared that it was a “really difficult” decision, especially as they usually give staff anything from 9 to 12 month notice in advance.
Opening up about the decision he said; “When we sit down with people like Louise or Keith Walsh, these are very tough decisions. In November, I was speaking to four or five people in one week to say, ‘There’s going to be a change here'”
Continuing he added; “And then something happened to me beyond my control, in terms of communication, and there’s nothing I can do about that and it’s out.”
Louise has been outspoken on how she feels since her departure, sharing that she was particularly frustrated at not being able to present her last show. Chatting on Instagram stories she said; “Lots of people have been asking me if I’m on this weekend, I’m not” adding that this was not her call.
“I thought I was going to be, but then they decided that I shouldn’t be so I’m gutted about that because we actually had such a good show planned… So yeah I’m gutted.”
“This wasn’t my call, but I’m honestly ok. This has happened to me before, it’s the nature of the beast, it’s the industry that I’m in. You just never know how long your job will last,” she added.
Addressing an interview Louise had with The Independent Weekend in which Louise shared how the handling of things made her feel like a “piece of trash” Dan Healy said; “Louise is very talented. I worked with Louise at Newstalk when she was younger; she came to iRadio with me and she was really good there. She’s had numerous roles here in 2FM. ”
“She‘s a great broadcaster and I can only speak highly of her. I didn’t read the article.”
Dan also added that a presenter being unable to finish their show was something that had “never happened before” and added; “How the talent will react to these decisions, I’ve no control over. But I know it’s got to be tough.”
At the end of last month Louise spoke about how she was glad she got to speak openly about her departure and what’s next for her; “It has been very difficult, I was very hurt by the way it was handled, but I’m moving on more and more each day. In the piece I share that I’ve been working on a podcast, which is coming soon. I’m excited to speak to you all again in a new form.”
