© Provided by Extra.ie

After four decades of gracing our televisions, Mary Kennedy left RTE this year after company rules meant she had to retire due to her age.

Kennedy turned 65 in September and was, as a result, obliged to retire from the national broadcaster.

However, the presenter is now slamming the rules which forced her to leave and admits that she’ll keep working to help financially.

© Provided by Associated Newspapers (Ireland) Limited, t/a dmg Media Ireland After four decades of gracing our televisions, Mary Kennedy leaves RTE this year after company rules meant she had to retire. Pic: RTE

Speaking with the Irish Mirror recently, Kennedy said:

‘I’m sad to be leaving. I do think it’s ridiculous to be saying to people just because they’re 65 that that’s the end of it.

‘People were asking me were there any loopholes they could have found to keep me on, but I would not like an exception to be made for me and I would not like an exception to be made for anybody else — if that’s the rule, that’s the rule.’

© Provided by Extra.ie Pic: RTE

However, Kennedy did say that she ‘made her point’ before leaving RTE this year.

The 65-year-old has previously admitted that she felt a ‘sense of loss, of grieving’ about her retirement.

And despite 41 years at the network, Kennedy says she’ll keep working to help with her pension.

© Provided by Extra.ie Pic: Dancing With The Stars/RTE One

The Nationwide host worked in RTE since 1978, however, was only made a full-time staff member in 2004 so doesn’t benefit from ’40 years of a pension’.

As a result, Kennedy says she’ll keep working into the new year starting with her role on Dancing With The Stars.

‘This is the perfect time for me as I don’t have to juggle it with Nationwide, so I can commit to being there in January,’ she told TV Now.

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