Former RTE star welcomes first baby and shares adorable meaning behind name

Former RTE television and radio star Eoghan McDermott has shared the news of the birth of his first child, a baby boy, with partner, Alessandra Heredia.

The couple took to Instagram to introduce their little bundle of joy with Eoghan describing his partner as "magic," adding that their son will be "all the richer in all the ways with you as his mother."

Eoghan posted a series of pictures with a sweet caption explaining the reason behind the name - Kevin Mateo McDermott.

He posted: "Kevin Mateo McDermott. Welcome to the world, precious boy. You are so very loved. Named after my Papa (and his new Grandpa) - the wisest, kindest man of all. Mam said the other day "oh it's Kev and Kev Óg"... so perhaps 'Kev Óg' will stick.

"Thank you to the earth angels in Holles Street Hospital and especially the @domino_midwives ... you are ferocious and wonderful people.

"I'll take the best of what is good and strong and true and do my best to be a wonderful father.

READ NEXT: Warning to Irish people on holiday in Spain amid 'stay away' protests

"And of course, thank you beyond what words will ever capture @alessandraheredia for a life-defining gift. You are magic in a bottle and Baby Kev will be all the richer in all the ways with you as his mother, that I know.

"Here's to the next...and greatest, adventure. Failte, Kevin Mateo."

Fellow celebrities were among the first to congratulate Eoghan and Alessandra with RTE presenter Baz Ashmawy saying, "Congratulations man!"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermott)

Sarah-Jayne Tobin added: "Ohhhhh my goodness Eoghan!!! Your precious boy. Thrilled for you both, welcome to the world Kevin Óg xx"

Jennifer Whitmore said: "So much love to you all."

Eoghan McDermott has been absent from RTE radio and TV since 2021 when allegations, later found to be false, were made against him over a relationship with an individual who previously alleged they were under the age of consent.

In March 2022, he broke his social media silence and responded to what he described as the "false allegations" made against him. It was reported that the individual who had made the allegations now accepted she was at the age of consent when they had a physical relationship. 

A few months ago, false allegations were made about me. Despite not being investigated or verified, these allegations were spread widely, the effects of which I am still processing. I hope the below can close this chapter.

— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) March 2, 2022

He tweeted publicly at that time: "A few months ago, false allegations were made about me. Despite not being investigated or verified, these allegations were spread widely, the effects of which I am still processing. I hope the below can close this chapter."

Further to that, he published a letter from a solicitor on behalf of his anonymous accuser which makes a series of "clarifications."

The letter says "our client made false allegations against your client, Mr McDermott" arising out of a relationship the pair had back in 2010.

It went on to say "our client accepts there were a number of serious falsehoods, contained in her publications which have caused distress to your client and those closest to him."

He further states: "Our client also accepts that it was wrong for her to retweet and tweet unfounded allegations of sexual assault by third parties."

It went on: "These inaccuracies were the product of the elapse of time since 2010 and the published tweets. They also stemmed out of the unreasonable reliance placed on false information from third parties.

"For the record, our client accepts, with reservation, that she was above the age of consent at all times she and Mr McDermott met or engaged in a physical relationship, contrary to her original claim. She acknowledges the severity of this false claim and retracts it unequivocally."

You can read the full letter below:

At the request of and with consideration for the other party to this dispute, I will not be commenting any further on this matter. pic.twitter.com/8NI8fEhSSv

— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) March 2, 2022