Miriam is hoping suspended series wins TV award
MIRIAM O'CALLAGHAN said yesterday she hopes the suspended series 'Prime Time Investigates' wins an award this weekend.
The critically acclaimed series has been off the air while an investigation has been carried out into editorial processes in the wake of the Fr Kevin Reynolds defamation affair.
But two programmes in the last series have been nominated in the Best Current Affairs/News category of this weekend's Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs).
And Ms O'Callaghan said that a win for either 'Prime Time Investigates: The Home Care Scandal', or 'Prime Time Investigates: Carry On Regardless' would be a boost for programme-makers.
"I would love to see 'Prime Time Investigates' winning at the IFTAs," she told the Irish Independent.
"It's been a very difficult time for everyone on the show. Years of work go into those programmes."
The 'Prime Time' host repeated RTE director general Noel Curran's comments that Fr Reynolds had been entitled to a "massive apology" from programme-makers after false allegations were made against him.
But she also praised the team who worked across both 'Prime Time' and the 'Prime Time Investigates' formats.
Ms O'Callaghan said she felt many of those who had come under intense scrutiny would be "heartened" by their IFTA nominations.
"They don't always get the kudos they deserve so I would be very happy to see them winning," she said.
Ms O'Callaghan was speaking at the launch of Heart Children Ireland's annual fundraising initiative for children with congenital heart defects.
Braiden Dunphy, a grandson of Eamon Dunphy, was born with a heart defect. But his life was saved in May last year by an 'Ecmo' heart machine in Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin, paid for by Heart Children Ireland, after he suffered a stroke.
Heart Children Ireland's red windmills will be on sale at €2 each on February 10 and 11 in shopping centres throughout the country.
- Ken Sweeney Entertainment Editor
Irish Independent
