Oonagh Smyth

Prime Time

Before going on sick leave 14 months ago, Tom McHugh worked on Block A at Portlaoise Prison

The Prison Officer who won't be silenced

Tom McHugh became concerned that his life was at risk because he was being actively undermined by other prison officers, explains Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 07 May 21

Christina McNally, 77, from Lusk, Co Dublin, received her first vaccine dose at the weekend

The joy of vaccination: 'The energy was electric'

Amid all the negative headlines about the vaccine roll-out, one undeniably positive aspect is the joy of vaccination that many elderly people are experiencing, writes Prime Time's Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 24 Mar 21

Dr Maaz Seerat, working in Ireland since 2015, has been unable to secure a consultant post

Exit strategy: Why are foreign doctors leaving Ireland?

Despite hundreds of vacant posts in the health system and historically high waiting lists, many doctors from outside the EU feel forced to leave Ireland, reports Prime Time's Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 19 Mar 21

Collective mourning is a central part of Irish culture

Covid-19 funeral restrictions: Saying goodbye is harder

Current public health restrictions have severely diminished the traditions and rituals that we use to say goodbye to our loved ones, reports Prime Time's Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 03 Mar 21

Covid-19 visiting restrictions mean that being admitted to hospital has taken on a new dimension

Covid-19: Ambulance staff on the 'intense' frontline

The third wave of Covid-19 has put paramedics across the country under a level of pressure that they've never experienced before, reports Prime Time's Oonagh Smyth.

Prime Time • 05 Feb 21

A HIQA inspection found shortcomings in compliance with key regulations at Silvergrove nursing home

HIQA report found issues at Covid-hit Silvergrove nursing home

Residents at the Co Meath nursing home were severely affected by Covid-19 at the height of the crisis.

Prime Time • 24 Nov 20

Dealgan House nursing home in Louth battled a severe Covid-19 outbreak

Inspection found issues at Covid-hit Dealgan House nursing home

The regulator found that Dealgan House was non-compliant with seven key statutory regulations, including staffing, management and infection control.

Prime Time • 30 Oct 20

Critical Staff Shortages as Nursing Home Battled Covid Tragedy

Features • 12 Oct 20

Nursing homes: The forgotten frontline of the pandemic

Nearly 1,000 residents of nursing homes died from Covid-19. Prime Time reporter Oonagh Smyth speaks to the staff, managers, experts and relatives who had to deal with the toll the virus inflicted.

Prime Time • 16 Jul 20

The 25 boxes of files were reviewed by a child protection expert

Scouting Ireland files released from former Senior Scout's home

A large volume of previously undiscovered files held at the home of a former senior member of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland (CBSI) were released to Scouting Ireland in February this year.

Prime Time • 26 May 20