Radio presenter Neil Prendeville who was sacked from Cork radio station 96FM following an incident on board an Aer Lingus flight last year returned to the airwaves this morning.
Prendeville spoke of being heartened by the positive response to his return to his morning radio slot and expressed appreciation for the texts, emails and even bouquets of flowers sent in to the studio by Cork taxi drivers and other supporters.
He said he was grateful to his production team of Eimear O'Hea and Colm Moore for "weathering" the storm over the last few months. He also paid tribute to his colleague PJ Coogan who has hosted the show in his absence.
Bookmakers had been offering bets on what would be the first song played by Prendeville on his return. He played Peabo Bryson's A Whole New World from the Aladdin soundtrack and laughed as he wondered aloud if any one would "make a few bob" for his selection.
The presenter thanked management at 96FM for showing "a lot of bravery and courage" and said they had "balls of steel" for giving him a second chance. He vowed to repay their loyalty over the coming months.
He insisted that he was extremely grateful to have the opportunity to return to his morning show. "There are numerous texts coming in this morning and I have to say thank you so much for that – and right across the weekend. Indeed last week as well, especially since my chat with PJ (Coogan) last Friday morning," Prendeville said.
"I do appreciate all of those kind messages and support. I also acknowledge that there will be an amount of people who would not be in support and it would be remiss of me not to mention that as well."
The DPP has directed that there be no prosecution against Prendeville after he exposed himself on the Heathrow-Cork flight on October 19th of last year.
Today, the father-of-two repeated his apology in relation to his actions on October 19th.
"I have apologised for crashing into people's lives uninvited in a manner of fashion for whatever happened. I will continue to apologise and ask for forgiveness every day and that is important to acknowledge. But I hope I can learn from it and that others can too and we can move forward in a positive way. I hope I will be able to repay that trust as we go forward."
Mr Prendeville said he returned to work a changed man. "I am very grateful to be in this position this morning - to have this chance. It is difficult to know what words to use. Is it another chance, a second chance at redemption? An opportunity to do good?"