Sharon Ní Bheoláin makes formal complaint to RTÉ after newsroom row

Newsreader Sharon Ní Bheoláin has confirmed that she has made a formal complaint to RTÉ following a row in the newsroom this week.

Sharon is believed to have taken issue with a decision made by Jon Williams, RTÉ's head of news and current affairs. The row is thought to be the reason she did not appear on the nine o'clock news on Wednesday night. She was also missing from the programme the following two nights. Instead, presenter Eileen Whelan read the news. Sharon, who has worked for the national broadcaster for over two decades, was said to be upset when it was decided that Caitriona Perry would co-anchor the news from Westminster on Wednesday night. A report in the Irish Mail on Sunday states that Sharon felt that this would undermine her position as the presenter of the show. She confirmed that she had made a complaint. "Arising out of events last week, I initiated a formal grievance procedure with RTÉ. "Until the matter is dealt with through the appropriate channels it would be unwise for me to comment." The broadcaster declined to comment on the matter. Sharon moved to the nine o'clock news from the Six-One earlier this year, taking over from Brian Dobson. She was replaced on the Six-One by Caitriona Perry and Keelin Shanley.