Star FM News Director appears in court.

A 52 year old Port Macquarie radio identity has appeared in Port Macquarie Local Court today charged with the indecent assault of a child and the possession of child abuse material after being arrested by Child Abuse Squad detectives last Thursday.

Nicholas Francis O’Callaghan – son of 2UE radio legend Gary O’Callaghan – appeared briefly this morning. His case was adjourned until September 5 for mention.

O’Callaghan was employed until two weeks ago at Southern Cross Austereo’s 2MC/StarFM and resigned, citing personal reasons. He’d worked for the stations on and off for 25 years in various roles including, announcer, news director and sales rep.

Staff at the station are said to be in shock. They have been told not to discuss the matter. One source says, information about the assault had started to filter through from listeners and clients just before O’Calloghan handed in his resignation a few weeks ago.

In 2007, O’Callaghan was News Director of 2MC when it celebrated its 70th Birthday. At the time, the station proudly boasted: six of our current staff members have a combined total of more than 110 years with the station. This includes Head Technician Darrel Woolnough who has racked up 30 years on his own, Tea Lady June Bruce, News Director Nick O’Callaghan (son of 2UE’s Gary O’Callaghan), Sales Rep/Promotions Manager Maureen Moore, Breakfast Announcer Mark Strachan and Production Wiz Sean Hall.

Father, Gary O’Callaghan, who retired from full time announcing at 2UE 10 years ago also lives in  the Port Macquarie area where two of his sons work in radio. Apart from Nick at SCA, there’s John O’Callaghan, who is the afternoon announcer at the competing Bill Caralis owned station, 531AM. His eldest son is a Qantas pilot. He also has three daughters, all of whom worked on his 2UE program as producers at various times when they were younger.