Four applications have been made to the Independent Radio and Television Commission for the AM Religion licence for Dublin city and county. The closing date for applications was January 19th.
They are: Radio Maria (Ireland); Solas AM Ltd; United Christian Broadcasters Ltd; and a group known as "People into God". This latter group gives an address in Loughlinstown, Co Dublin, and a contact number which is that of a pensioner at a different address.
The pensioner believed her number was ex-directory. She had not heard of the group and did not know anybody by the contact name given.
Ms Mary Fitzpatrick, of Radio Maria, said it was an Italian-based company which had radio stations in 26 countries including Russia, the US, Peru, Malta and Holland. Its programming would include prayers, Bible readings, open-line advice programmes, spiritual and Irish music, lives of the saints and programmes aimed at refugees, prisoners and minority groups.
Solas AM would feature news and current affairs programmes, including activities in churches, parishes and local communities, as well as religious services. It would broadcast from a predominantly Christian perspective, also involving people of other faiths.
This group is backed by a team which includes a former RTE director-general, Mr Oliver Moloney, a former GAA president, Mr Jack Boothman, a former RTE director of radio programmes, Mr Michael Carroll, and the broadcaster Mr Liam Nolan.
Mr Peter Bradshaw, of United Christian Broadcasters (UCB), said it was a British-based company which already broadcast from Stoke-on-Trent by satellite.
Its programming was "inspirational" and aimed mainly at the 45-to-50 age group. Programming would include praise and worship, Celtic, country, and southern gospel music as well as traditional hymns, and magazine programming. Initially, all broadcasting would be from Stoke-on-Trent, he said.