Paul Williams, one of Newstalk’s top presenters, has been criticised by the broadcasting watchdog over his use of offensive language about participants in the Jobstown protest.

The station, which is owned by Denis O’Brien, also had a complaint upheld against it over remarks made about rape victims by George Hook, which resulted in the broadcaster’s suspension from Newstalk last year.

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) upheld two complaints against Williams, the co-presenter of Newstalk Breakfast, over his description of those involved in a demonstration in Jobstown three years ago as “bastards”, “assholes”, “thugs” and “bullyboys” during a programme on July 27 last year.

Joan Burton, the former tánaiste and Labour leader, was forced to wait in her car during a protest outside a