TV3 DOCUMENTARY SHORT- LISTED FOR MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD

TV3 NEWS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Monday 13th October 2008

TV3 DOCUMENTARY SHORT- LISTED FOR MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD

TV3 documentary "Undercover Ireland: The Drugs Trade" has been nominated for a prestigious international television award.  The programme has been short-listed in the Best Current Affairs Documentary Category at this year's Association of International Broadcasters Media Excellence Awards.

The documentary is up against some very stiff competition with TV stations from across the world also represented in the category.  The winner will be announced on November 12th at a ceremony in London.

Commenting on the nomination, TV3 reporter and producer Brian O'Donovan said:  "We are delighted to have our production recognised in this way.  Undercover Ireland: The Drugs Trade received an extremely positive reaction when it was first broadcast, to be nominated for this award is a real honour."

TV3 Executive Producer Conor Tiernan said:  "This nomination is a fitting testament to the courageous and valuable work done by Brian and everyone else who worked on the documentary.  It sought to get behind the headlines and tell the hard truth about our burgeoning drug trade - and that is exactly what it achieved."

For another chance to see Undercover Ireland:  The Drugs Trade, tune in to TV3 tomorrow night Tuesday 14th October at 10pm.

For further information:

TV3 PRESS OFFICE

01 419 3426 / 36 / 30

publicity@tv3.ie

www.tv3.ie

Notes to the Editor:

Facts and Figures

A quarter of adults have used illegal drugs

The number of drug deaths, arrests and seizures are all on the rise

There has been a huge rise in the number of people seeking help for drug addiction

There has been a massive increase in the amount of drugs being sent in the post

Families of addicts are having to re-mortgage their homes to pay off dealers

There is a lack of detox beds for addicts and the government is failing to provide promised treatment centres

Ireland's so-called ‘Cocaine Epidemic' has been over-hyped with heroin still the biggest killer

Programme Description

Revealed:  Undercover filming of drug dealing and drug use highlighting the ease with which drugs can be bought

Revealed:  Undercover footage of drug use in public

Revealed:  Exclusive footage of dramatic drug seizures

This documentary will show viewers the truth behind Ireland's drug trade.  We've gone undercover to reveal the extent of the problem, exposing how easy it is to buy drugs and how the Gardai often turn a blind eye to drug use. 

We will reveal the routes used by some of the world's most notorious smugglers and show how increasing volumes of drugs are being brought though our ports and airports and even being sent in the post.  No longer just a big city problem, drug addiction affects every town and village in the country with devastating affects.  We will broadcast emotional interviews with drug users and their families about the harsh realities of living with addiction.  We will also take an in-depth look at the drug legalisation debate.

A quarter of adults in Ireland have taken illegal drugs and the numbers of drug deaths, seizures and arrests are all on the rise.  Undercover Ireland:  The Drugs Trade exposes the harsh realities of the country's drug problem.  This exclusive TV3 Production reveals the ease with which drugs can be bought and highlights the devastation that addiction can cause, with many families now being forced to re-mortgage their homes to pay off drug dealers.

Using hidden cameras, our undercover investigation team has recorded both the dealing and taking of drugs.  We have also captured shocking footage of Gardai ignoring drug users and we have uncovered how it takes just a matter minutes to buy drugs in cities and towns across Ireland.

Undercover Ireland:  The Drugs Trade contains dramatic footage of drug seizures being made by the Customs Service and will reveal a massive increase in the amount of drugs coming though Ireland's ports, airports and even through the post.  Drug addiction is no longer just confined to big cities, with towns and villages across Ireland having to deal with the problem.  This programme reveals that Ireland's so called "Cocaine Epidemic" has been over-hyped.  Cannabis remains the most used drug and heroin is by far the most dangerous.  The documentary also takes an in-depth look at the drug legalisation debate.