Barry Cummins

Prime Time

Life sentences: What is the reality in modern Ireland?

With more than 500 life sentence prisoners, Ireland has reached its highest ever number of 'lifers'. Security Correspondent Barry Cummins speaks to the families of victims and officials about the reality of life sentences in modern Ireland.

Prime Time • 28 Feb 24

Seán, not his real name, is a convicted 'money mule'

Thousands of 'money mules' operating in Ireland, gardaí warn

As Interpol says Ireland is one of a number of countries being specifically targeted by international cybercrime gangs, and gardaí warn thousands of people's bank accounts are being used to launder money, Prime Time speaks to a convicted 'money mule'.

Prime Time • 05 Jan 24

'Don't ignore red flags' - Sisters of murder victim speak out

The sisters of an Irish woman who was murdered a month ago in New York have spoken publicly to call on people to recognise red flags which could indicate the potential for violent relationships.

Prime Time • 22 Nov 23

January 2022: Jozef Puska, 31, is led in to Tullamore District Court where he is charged with the murder of Irish teacher Ashling Murphy

Step-by-step: The garda investigation into Jozef Puska

The taking of Jozef Puska's DNA by Tullamore gardaí was a crucial step in the investigation, writes Barry Cummins.

Prime Time • 10 Nov 23

'A blizzard': Regional services fear growing scale of cocaine use

Addiction counsellors in rural areas, including in parts of Donegal, Sligo, Galway and Clare, say there has been an increase in the number of people presenting with cocaine addiction, as gardaí say cocaine detections are also rising.

Prime Time • 01 Nov 23

A drug trafficking tugboat that was impounded by Portugal's navy and airforce in 2019.

How drug boat shipments can get put together and taken apart

Barry Cummins on gaining access to a seized vessel which had been used to transport millions of euros worth of cocaine across the Atlantic, and the law enforcement efforts to find such boats

Prime Time • 28 Sep 23

Mahmoud Bazzi was deported from the US in 2014

Killer of Irish soldiers 'released early' in Lebanon

The Department of Defence has said it is aware of what it calls "officially unconfirmed reports" that a man convicted of murdering two Irish soldiers and attempting to murder a third has been released from prison in Lebanon.

Ireland • 26 Aug 23

A photograph of Nora Sheehan provided by the Sheehan family to Prime Time.

'It gave her peace' - Family of cold case murder victim speak out

The family of Cork woman Nora Sheehan, who was murdered in 1981, have spoken about how they feel following the conviction of 74-year-old Noel Long for her murder last week.

Prime Time • 11 Aug 23

Nora Sheehan was murdered in Cork in 1981

The death of Nora Sheehan: A 42-year cold case now solved

In the Central Criminal Court on Friday morning, Noel Long, now age 74, was found guilty of the murder of Nora Sheehan. It marked the final stage of a decades-long search for justice for Mrs Sheehan's family and friends, since her horrific murder in 1981.

Prime Time • 10 Aug 23

Last image of Deirdre Jacob (centre), captured on CCTV in Newbridge, Kildare July 28 1998

What is known about what happened to Deirdre Jacob?

Friday July 28 is the 25th anniversary of the date Deirdre Jacob was abducted, murdered and her body later secretly buried. It is a crime which remains unsolved.

Prime Time • 28 Jul 23