Press Releases
98FM Presenter to return to Sky News
1st December 2007
98FM’s evening talk show host Alison O’Reilly has been lured back to Sky News, her former employers in Britain.
But fear not, the popular presenter and documentary maker who was a reporter with Sky News Ireland for three years isn’t going back for good, she is teaming up with the British News giant to make a documentary that will be aired at Christmas.
Alison who presents ‘The Inbox’ Mon-Thurs 8pm-10pm on 98FM received rave reviews for her one hour film ‘My Heroin Hell, Rachael’s Story’ about a Dublin drug addict which was aired on Sky earlier this year.
Now station bosses in London have asked their former employee to return to our screens for a special half hour programme on Rachael’s progress since she left rehab in February.
Alison QUOTES “The call came out of the blue but I’m delighted Sky is still keen to know how Rachael is doing” says Alison. “It will help keep the issue of drug addiction in the spotlight. Time has flown by since the documentary was aired and I’m really looking forward to showing everyone how well Rachael is doing now”.
It’s been a hectic year for the journalist. Upon completion of her film with Rachael Keogh the former heroin addict from Ballymun both girls appeared on the Late Late Show and received a huge amount of support from the public.
The Drogheda girl then went to New York to work on the O’Reilly Factor on Fox News with controversial right wing anchorman Bill O’Reilly for a number of weeks.
Alison QUOTE “I returned in April and began my new job on 98FM which is going very well at the moment. I’m really enjoying it, we have a good team and have had some great guests on”.
She has also been to Ethiopia recently to make a radio programme about where tax payer’s money is being spent in the developing world.
Alison was first to interview Rachael Keogh last year when she hit the headlines after escaping from Garda custody having being arrested for shoplifting.
Doctors warned the 27 year old she would lose her arms if she didn’t stop using heroin. The shocking pictures revealed open wounds all over her arms. Keogh felt she wouldn’t get the right treatment she needed if she was sent to Mountjoy prison and turned to the media to highlight her plight.
Alison spoke with Rachael while in hiding and the report was aired on Sky News. She then undertook a gruelling 10month journey filming the addict’s turbulent battle through detox and rehabilitation. The film also highlighted the serious lack of treatment facilities in Dublin for heroin addicts.
There are around 13,000 addicts in the city with just 20 detox beds.
Alison QUOTES “I understand a lot about drug addiction and the devastating effects it can have on the person who is addicted as well as their families. There is also a huge stigma surrounding the issue too but it’s nothing to be ashamed about”.
“I watched Rachael cry so many times with pure frustration and hurt over not being able to get a detox bed. I felt helpless, she did everything she was supposed to do to get into Cuan Dara detox centre in Cherry Orchard Hospital but it was a long 4 month wait before she got a place”.
Keogh was later pardoned on 8 counts of shoplifting in the courts in March this year when Judge Cormac described her as ‘a role model for all acutely addictive persons’.
Alison QUOTES “Looking at her now it’s hard to believe Rachael was a chronic heroin addict. When I first met her, she was very sick and frail and had the body of a child. But there was a tiny glimmer of hope when she spoke and I just knew she’d be ok, all she needed was support and encouragement”.
Rachael is heroin free since July 2006 and is currently studying at Trinity College while her book is due to be published at Christmas around the same time the documentary will be aired.
Alison QUOTES “She is one of the most intelligent friendly and bubbly girls I’ve ever met and I’ve made a really good friend in Rachael. I couldn’t care less what her background is, that’s her business. Just look at her now, she’s in Trinity College for God’s sake! Through sheer grit and determination she pulled herself out of the hell she was living in… what an achievement. She’s a great girl and living proof that rehabilitation works if you’re lucky enough to get a place. She is an inspiration”.
This will be Alison’s third TV documentary; she picked up an award two years ago at the Galway Film Fleadh for her programme ‘Midnight’s Lost Child’ about street children in Calcutta.
NEWS: “My Heron Hell, Rachael’s Story” will be screened at this year’s Boston Irish Film Festival in November.
NEWS: Christy Dignam and Damien Dempsey will also take part in the new film about Rachael.
Alison QUOTES: “Christy’s heroin addiction has been well-publicised while Damien has always been open about life for the working class community. I’ve asked both of them to sing their new duet together in the film and I’m delighted they’ve agreed”.
ENDS
