Radio host Lawrence Mooney has issued an apology to his ‘Triple M family’ after flouting Sydney’s strict lockdown rules for a holiday in Byron Bay on July 2.
On Monday, the Moonman In The Morning host said he was taking ‘full responsibility’ for his actions, before criticising himself for acting like ‘the rules didn’t apply to him’.
‘I’d like to apologise to the Triple M family for acting like king c’**k of c**k Island,’ he told his co-hosts Jess Eva and Chris Page.
Sorry: Radio host Lawrence Mooney has issued a grovelling apology to his Triple M family after flouting Sydney’s lockdown rules for a holiday to Byron Bay on July 2
Mooney, who copped a $1000 fine for his breach, also apologised to NSW Police for ‘wasting resources, in having them rock around to my joint to hear my story and then issue a notice’.
‘Today I front the Court of Cant’s in the full knowledge that I have done the wrong thing, copped my fair whack from the constabulary to whit a $1,000 fine and take full responsibility for my actions,’ he continued.
‘Moonman, you can’t act like the rules don’t apply to you.’
Mooney lives in the Southern Highlands and works in the Sydney CBD, so under the city’s lockdown rules should have stayed home instead of travelling to Byron.
Co-hosts: Mooney hosts Moonman In The Morning alongside Jess Eva (centre) & Chris Page (left)
‘I worked in a red zone in the Tower of Sound in World Square – that being Greater Sydney – lived in a Green Zone, the Southern Highlands, didn’t self-isolate for the required 14 days before holidaying in another Green Zone, Byron Bay,’ he added.
‘I transgressed a public health order. Moonman, you cannot sit in judgement of others and then flagrantly flout the rules. Moonman, you can’t.’
He went on to say that he understand the severity of the situation, before pleading with others to not follow his example.
‘In all seriousness Sydney, and inevitably New South Wales, is entering a dire period of the contagion,’ he added.
Busted: Mooney’s Byron Bay activities included a spot of horse riding, as well as a catch up with fellow comedian Jimeoin at the Hotel Brunswick
‘My actions, were they to be repeated, could end up in extended lockdowns, illness and death. That’s the height of the stakes we’re talking about, and I don’t shirk from the seriousness or my part as an example to others.
‘I should have stayed put, but instead headed to Byron Bay to holiday when I should have stayed home.’
During his getaway to Bryon Bay, the radio host shared several social media images documenting his relaxed escape.
His activities included a spot of horse riding, as well as a catch up with fellow comedian Jimeoin at the Hotel Brunswick.
Before taking responsibility for his actions, Mooney had initially apologised and told The Daily Telegraph he didn’t realise the restrictions applied to him.
Explanation: Before taking responsibility for his actions, Mooney had initially apologised and told The Daily Telegraph he didn’t realise the restrictions applied to him
‘I feel like an absolute goose for not realising I wasn’t permitted to travel to Byron Bay during my break,’ he said. ‘I live in a green zone (the Southern Highlands) and am permitted to travel to Sydney for work as an essential service worker.
‘I travelled directly between home and work. I mistakenly believed because my home is in a green zone and Byron Bay is in a green zone I could travel there. I also had a Covid test before I departed.’
Fellow radio host Ben Fordham later lashed out at the Triple M star on his own radio show.
Error: ‘I mistakenly believed because my home is in a green zone and Byron Bay is in a green zone I could travel there,’ Mooney claimed
‘I know Lawrence, he’s not a bad person, but he’s had a shocker here,’ Fordham said. ‘There’s a problem. He did know he wasn’t allowed to travel to Byron Bay, and I’ll prove it to you right now..’
He then played damming audio of Mooney reading out the lockdown rules on his show before jetting off to Byron Bay.
After airing the audio, Fordham said: ‘When he was busted, Lawrence Mooney said he feels like an absolute goose for not realising.
‘Lawrence, you knew you couldn’t go – you said it yourself! Busted. Lawrence Mooney, you can’t be serious.’
Shock claims: On Friday, 2GB host Ben Fordham sensationally claimed Mooney knew the rules following his grovelling apology over breaching lockdown restrictions