Blow for RTE as UTV sign editor of Six and Nine O'Clock news

Marcus Lehnen was one of three editors at the helm of the RTE news broadcasts.

He has been with the national broadcaster for a decade.

He previously worked with the BBC for 15 years.

Mary Curtis, UTV Ireland’s Head of Channel, said:

"Marcus is an excellent addition to the UTV Ireland team. His exemplary journalism career includes coverage of major national and international events and the management of news programmes and news teams.

"UTV Ireland will place a strong focus on quality news delivery. With regional news bureaux in Cork, Galway and Limerick – in addition to existing UTV news facilities in Belfast and Derry – our news and current affairs programmes, Ireland Live and Ireland Live at 10, will deliver the latest breaking news, in-depth analysis and expert debate, from across the country.

"Marcus will play a leading role in shaping the delivery of our news programming and developing an expert news team. I am delighted to welcome Marcus to UTV Ireland and I look forward to working with him."

He is the latest high profile figure to join the broadcaster, following the announcement Pat Kenny would make his return to TV on the channel.

The broadcaster left RTE for rival Newstalk last year.

Marcus Lehnen said: "This is a very exciting time for the broadcast industry in Ireland. UTV is an excellent media group and the news and current affairs plans for UTV Ireland are fresh and ambitious. I am delighted to be joining the channel and I look forward to working with the UTV Ireland team."

UTV Ireland’s news and current affairs programming, Ireland Live and Ireland Live at 10, will begin broadcasting live from the channel’s Dublin studios on Monday, 5th January 2015.