RTE have denied claims they are to spend €70,000 on a life-size bronze statue of Gerry Ryan.

Today’s Sunday World carried a story claiming the state broadcaster had commissioned a life-size, bronze statue of the late DJ, costing €70,000 and to be designed by sculptor Patrick O’Reilly.

The report stated: “2FM bosses have set aside at least €70,000 for the bronze statue.”

RTE denied the claims with a statement on Twitter, saying the story was “inaccurate and incorrect” and although “2FM are planning a memorial to Gerry Ryan” it will not be a statue, and “it does not cost €70k or anything close to it.”