Prix Europa Award for Blackrock Boys

Congratulations to RTÉ’s Documentary On One team who have won the ‘Best European Audio Investigation of the Year’ at the 2023 Prix Europa Awards for Blackrock Boys. Narrated and produced by Liam O’Brien, with executive producers Seán Mac Giolla Phádraig and David Nally, legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly and Eleanor Bleahene and further production assistance from the wider RTÉ Documentary On One team, Blackrock Boys told the story of Mark and David Ryan, who together with their friend Maura were sexually abused by members of the Spiritan community at Blackrock College.

The Prix Europa winning citation for Blackrock Boys read: “This masterfully narrated production is a testament to the power of journalism. This story unveils hidden truths about sexual abuse of minors under the guise of a very prestigious organisation and a religious order, thanks to the exceptional dedication of the creators. The accuracy and depth of this piece serve as a shining example of journalism’s vital role and show that well researched, informative content can affect changes in society, that it can help victims to speak up and prosecutions to be started. In a world where information is paramount, this work stands out as a brilliant example of in-depth investigative reporting.”

The Prix Europa is held in the Haus des Rundfunks, Berlin each year, and is the largest competition in the world for public service media. This year saw a total of 611 submissions from 240 media organisations across 27 countries – with 181 submissions being nominated to take part in the competition across 14 categories.