Mark Coughlan

Prime Time

A damaged building at Mirolubovka Village in Kherson, Ukraine on November 10, 2022.

Kherson sets the stage for looming winter war

Russia is now retreating from a city it declared its own just weeks ago. With winter looming, both sides in the war in Ukraine will want to secure the areas they control, to hold as leverage for any forthcoming negotiations, as Mark Coughlan reports.

Prime Time • 22 Nov 22

In recent weeks, the Russian military has faced criticism from an expected place: regime insiders

Russian military faces criticism from key Putin allies

Some key members of Vladimir Putin's regime appear to be increasingly willing to accept that Russia's war in Ukraine is faltering, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 14 Oct 22

Farmers in Ukraine have been left struggling to find new export routes

How the war in Ukraine could cause a global food crisis

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has upended agricultural supply chains. Even if the war ended tomorrow, the world could still face severe food shortages in the coming months, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 24 Jun 22

How everything is different for today's first-time buyers

What has changed for today's prospective homeowners, that makes their housing situation so different to their parents? The very short answer is: everything, writes Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 03 Feb 22

Despite record case numbers, the Government seems to be of the view that there's no need for further restrictions

Will Omicron be the last big wave of Covid-19?

Amid record Covid-19 case numbers, there are grounds for both optimism and caution, explains Mark Coughlan. What are the numbers telling decision-makers about the Omicron wave?

Prime Time • 07 Jan 22

Around 93% of adults in Ireland have been vaccinated

Is enough being done to reach the unvaccinated?

New statistics from the CSO give fresh insight into the vaccination status of those admitted to hospital with Covid-19, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 22 Nov 21

Both NPHET modelling scenarios involve a fourth wave peak around Christmas

Here's what you need to know about NPHET's modelling

The assumptions made in the modelling provide an insight into what senior members of NPHET believe is happening with the spread of the virus, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 19 Nov 21

The Minister for Health extended the rollout of boosters on Tuesday

Around 1 million currently eligible for vaccine booster

About one million people are currently eligible for a booster vaccine dose in Ireland, according to a Prime Time analysis of HSE vaccine data.

Prime Time • 18 Nov 21

The Government is hoping it can avoid further restrictions

What is the Government's Covid strategy?

Neither the growth in case numbers nor the associated warnings from officials have caused a collective change in behaviour, explains Mark Coughlan. Where do we go from here?

Prime Time • 17 Nov 21

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said Covid-19 is circulating widely in the community

Is NPHET going to recommend new restrictions?

As Covid-19 case numbers surge ahead of Christmas, a couple of indicators will be worth watching over the coming week, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 03 Nov 21