Sharon Lawless of Flawless Films, the producer of 'The Killing of Fr Niall Molloy', pictured after being presented with its award for 'Best Factual Series' at the RTS Ireland Television Awards on Tuesday.

TV series on killing of Fr Niall Molloy wins award

Adrian Cusack

Published: Thu 14 Apr 2022, 1:53 PM

Last updated: Thu 14 Apr 2022, 2:05 PM

A two-part documentary about the killing of Fr Niall Molloy in Clara in 1985 won the 'best factual series' prize at a television awards event earlier this week.

The series was honoured at the RTS Ireland Television Awards, which took place in Dublin's RDS on Tuesday night.

Produced by Flawless Films, The Killing of Fr Niall Molloy aired on RTE One last September, and was described as "chilling" and "absorbing" by The Irish Times.

Made in collaboration with the late priest's two nephews, Bill Maher and Henry McCourt, it explored the circumstances of Fr Molly's death almost 37 years ago.

A native of South Roscommon, Fr Molloy was found dead in the bedroom of his close friends of over three decades, Richard and Teresa Flynn from Kilcoursey, Clara, the day after the Flynn family celebrated a high-society wedding in a marquee on the grounds of Kilcoursey House.

Fr Molloy's family have campaigned for the truth to come out about his death, but despite their tireless efforts nobody has ever been found guilty of the killing.

"I don't see any possibility that they will ever find out what happened that night," Alan Dukes, who was Minister for Justice in 1985, said in the series.

"[That's] entirely unsatisfactory. It's grief-inducing for them [but] that's the fact."

The award was presented at Tuesday's ceremony hosted by Blathnaid Treacy and Nuala Carey, with special guests Villagers and Oliver Callan.

Other winners on the night included: Smother (Best Drama), Ireland's Fittest Family (Best Entertainment), RTE Investigates - Covid-19: The Third Wave (Best News and Current Affairs), Tomorrow Is Saturday (Best Factual - Single) and Dagda's Harp (Best Animation).

Speaking after the announcement of the awards, RTS Ireland Awards Chairperson Niall Cogley said: "Tonight's winners are testament to an industry that is at the top its game creatively

"Among the nominees we saw inspiring local drama, incisive national news, exceptional Irish-language, sport and children’s content, and great factual and entertainment content made by Irish-based producers and broadcasters for Irish audiences.

"Among the winners, tonight we have seen the crowning of the best of these, chosen by a jury of peers from over 100 entries."