Blake Knox: producing Ryan film

Contributors interviewed for an upcoming RTé documentary on the late broadcaster Gerry Ryan were not quizzed on the star's cocaine usage.

RTé personalities such as Ryan Tubridy, Pat Kenny and Gay Byrne were interviewed in the days before the inquest finding, but have not been asked to film further contributions since.

However, a programme insider said it was "more than likely" that the documentary, currently being produced by David Blake Knox, would address the inquest findings. "While contributors were not asked anything along the lines of whether they were aware of any drug abuse, and were not asked if they anticipated anything in the inquest, it is more than likely that the producer will include the most recent news.

"They would be walking into a whole other issue if they did not, and it would come across to the viewer as a very untrue tribute, which would be the worst thing they could do."

According to a spokeswoman for the station, the documentary will air on Monday 27 December. She declined to comment on what form coverage of the inquest would take.

"The film paints a picture of a highly complex individual with an incisive and analytical mind, a family man and larger-than-life personality who played an integral role in the broadcasting landscape of the country," she said. "The programme is currently in production and so no further detail is being released until closer to transmission."