Mark Coughlan
Verified
Everything is getting cutting room scrapped, unless the silver screen throws gummy bears back. Journalist, RTÉ Current Affairs (usually seen on @RTE_PrimeTime).
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Mark Coughlan
GolfSixes League delivers record-breaking junior impact across Home Nations in 2025
In 2025, the Golf Foundation’s GolfSixes League continued to prove that shorter, team-based formats are one of the most powerful ways to introduce children to golf – and keep them playing. Working in partnership with England Golf, Scottish Golf, Golf Ireland and Wales Golf, 133 leagues were delivered through 743 golf clubs and teams, engaging 9,247 young players in competitive, welcoming and fun team golf experiences.
UN rapporteur calls for more Irish govt action against Israel
United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has urged the Irish government to take stronger action against Israel, including cutting trade ties. She also specifically called for Ireland to pass the Occupied Territories Bill.
UN documents on killing of Private Rooney sent to Dublin coroner
Additional documentation related to the 2022 killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney has been provided by the United Nations to Irish authorities in recent weeks, a UN diplomatic source has confirmed. The documents were given to the Irish UN permanent mission in New York on a USB storage drive, as part of a response to a request from the Dublin City Coroner's Court.
McGregor's 'dangerous Dublin' claim traces to gambling site list
Conor McGregor appears to have based one of the key views he expressed during his St Patrick's Day White House visit on a ranking of European cities published by an online gambling company.
1,500 in 15 days: What Musk's Trump-era tweets reveal about him
The world's richest man, Elon Musk, was long considered a political 'moderate'. Pre-pandemic, he donated to Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. In 2016 he told CNBC that Donald Trump doesn't have the "sort of character that reflects well on the United States." Now, he is at the heart of Trump's presidency, with an office in The White House. So what are his current views?
What happened and what does it say about our AI future?
The release of DeepSeek's latest AI model rocked stock markets, shocked global politicians, and forced major companies across the world to reassess their strategies this week. It has been described as a 'pivot point’ for artificial intelligence (AI), an industry that many believe could upend or supercharge whole swathes of society. Some analysts are now reassessing whether - and when – so-called 'superintelligence' may emerge.
Satellite imagery shows scale of fire damage around Los Angeles
High resolution satellite imagery taken over the last 24 hours shows the scale of destruction wrath on neighbourhoods north of Los Angeles by several fires. Firefighters are battling several blazes, the largest of which began on Tuesday, and forecasters say the weather locally is likely to be conducive to further fire issues into tomorrow night. High winds abated somewhat yesterday, allowing aircraft to conduct water drops on the Sunset fire near Hollywood, which has now been contained.
The Exit Poll: Three key charts to understand the initial details
The initial tranche of data from the Ipsos B&A Exit Poll, released just as ballot boxes were locked across the country on Friday night, provides an indication of where respondents said they cast their first preference vote and their initial transfers. No poll is perfect, but exit polls are broadly considered more reliable than other types of polling, as they are conducted immediately after the person has cast their vote.
Reflections on the riots: One year on from destruction in Dublin
The worst rioting in decades began in Dublin on the evening of Thursday, 23 November 2023. A year later, the impact of what happened is still being felt across the city, as Mark Coughlan and Kate McDonald report. As dawn broke on Friday 24 November 2023, repair crews were out on Dublin’s O’Connell Street trying to piece the Luas line back together.
Russian spy ship confirmed to be operating off Dublin near cables
A Russian spy ship has been operating near subsea cables in the Irish Sea just north of Dublin in recent days, according to vessel tracking data and military sources. The Irish Naval Service is understood to be monitoring the activity of the Yantar, which has a crew of 60 and is ostensibly a Russian navy oceanographic research vessel. On Thursday, it momentarily appeared on commercial marine tracking systems positioned 60km off the east coast.
Russian warships observed by Defence Forces south of Ireland
The Irish Defence Forces dispatched a specialist observation plane twice in recent days to an area of the Atlantic south of Cork where Russian naval vessels, including one equipped with new hypersonic missiles, are understood to have been traversing. Irish Naval Service assets are also understood to be involved in the monitoring operation. Flight tracking systems show a C295 Irish Air Corps plane flew over an area south of Ireland on both Monday and Tuesday.
IDF advance looms as Hezbollah tunnels exposed
The Israeli military has extended civilian evacuation orders to additional towns in the Irish UN peacekeeping zone in Lebanon, including for the first time in Bint Jbeil. It is the largest town in the Irish UNIFIL area of responsibility, and one of the largest in South Lebanon. The order was issued on yesterday through the Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) Arabic-language spokesperson. Such notices have often preceded significant military operations, artillery attacks, or airstrikes.
How journalists monitor events in a war zone
As the conflict in Lebanon ramps up, Irish peacekeepers are caught between two warring parties. In the midst of that fighting, a battle for eyes and emotions is raging online, and concerns about misinformation and disinformation are widespread. The UN mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, has warned about the spread of false information, and the real-life impact it can have on peacekeepers on the ground. Families at home are also eager for news about what is happening near their loved ones.
Satellite image shows IDF was based metres from Irish UN post
Satellite imagery shows the Israeli military established a large staging post within metres of the Irish UN position on Lebanon's defacto border which was at the centre of high-level diplomatic engagement for much of the last week. The image was obtained by RTÉ over the weekend from commercial provider Planet Labs. The New York Times referred to the same image, and RTÉ’s reporting on it, later on Sunday.
What we know about recent clashes
The Irish area of operations in southern Lebanon has been at the centre of international diplomatic and military discussions over the last week, after Israel crossed into Lebanon intent on attacking Hezbollah. The fighting has forced Irish troops - as well as thousands of other UN peacekeepers across the wider UNIFIL zone, into protective bunkers. Hundreds of thousands of civilians had been forced to flee. The Irish-led UN battalion in Lebanon is responsible for a zone along the de facto border.
UN raises concerns over IDF tanks placed close to Irish post
New imagery obtained by RTÉ shows almost 20 Israeli military vehicles have been located at a newly created firing position close to the UN post currently manned by Irish troops in southern Lebanon. The Irish Defence Forces has requested that the image in question is not be published "for reasons of operational security".
Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah within Irish UNIFIL zone
About Your Privacy We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the delivery of such content or advertisements to extract insights about our website. We share this information with our partners on the basis of consent. You may exercise your right to consent, based on a specific purpose below or at a partner level in the link under each purpose. Some vendors may process your data based on their legitimate interests, which does not require your consent.
Budget profiles: What is the likely impact on your pocket?
The government says most people will benefit from measures announced in the Budget to the tune of about €1000 over twelve months. As the ministers for finance and public expenditure were speaking, experts in KPMG were watching closely and adding details to a spreadsheet of representative profiles, to try to add specifics to the government claims. Here are profiles of several households, which might give you a sense of how this Budget might impact your pocket. The renting family Two adults.
Lebanon-Israel tension: What has happened near the Irish UN zone?
Irish troops, through the United Nations mission in Lebanon, are responsible for monitoring a large part of the defacto border between northern Israel and southern Lebanon. In recent hours there have been reports of Israeli raids into southern Lebanon, triggering concerns of a looming invasion. Israeli politicians say the target of their operations is the powerful Iran-backed Lebanese group, Hezbollah, which controls large parts of the south.
One every two days: Anti-migrant incidents analysed in new report
A new report examining the frequency and severity of xenophobic abuse, intimidation, and violence targeting migrants and asylum seekers in Ireland has warned that social media companies are fuelling the problem by "failing to take action against those who breach their terms of service." The Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a think tank focused on countering extremism, analysed 61 incidents involving such activity which took place in the Republic of Ireland over approximately three...
Budget Basics: The key terms and numbers you need to know
Next Tuesday, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe will deliver their budget speeches. All Budget speeches are closely watched for details about policies and promises, but if you've not been a close listener to the discussion of the nation's finances, it may start to sound complicated. With that in mind, here’s a breakdown on the basics, and the background to what’s expected.
Tánaiste writes to UN about blast near Irish troops in Lebanon
The Tánaiste Micheal Martin has written to a senior United Nations official to express "extreme concern" about an incident in south Lebanon on Saturday in which a vehicle carrying Irish peacekeepers was damaged by an explosion.
Footage indicates Israeli strike narrowly missed Irish UN troops
An analysis of footage released by the Israel Defense Forces in recent days shows how Irish soldiers serving with the United Nations in Lebanon were narrowly missed by an Israeli air strike on Saturday evening. The footage indicates vehicles in which they were travelling were 50 metres away when the air strike landed, having passed the location targeted a few seconds earlier.
Coolock site misinformation prompts response from bus company
Misinformation has been circulated online falsely linking a well-known Dublin coach company to involvement in transporting asylum seekers to the site in Coolock which has seen violent disturbances in recent days. It is just one of several instances in which misinformation has proliferated across social media, seemingly without any moderation policies preventing or limiting it. Nolan Coaches released a statement this afternoon following posts in the morning from people linked to the protests.
From morning to night: How the clashes in Coolock developed
Details posted online show how clashes between protesters and gardaí in Coolock developed near a site intended to be used to accommodate migrants from 3AM on Monday, and escalated to the point where a garda vehicle was set on fire by 7PM. Since March, a protest camp has been in place outside the former Crown Paints factory site in Coolock. The entrance to the site is on the Malahide Road, a key dual carriageway on the northside of Dublin which runs from Artane, through Coolock, up to Balgriffin.
Taoiseach commends female former footballers who spoke out
The Taoiseach has commended female former football players who featured in a joint RTÉ/Sunday Independent investigation at the weekend. He said their experiences, and further cases relating other sectors of society and State organisations, are "a very stark reminder that we're nowhere near where we wish ourselves to be as a country." The women allege they were the subject of unwanted or inappropriate sexual advances from FAI (Football Association of Ireland) coaches in the 1990s.
Sharing of crash data to resume by end of year - RSA
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has told an Oireachtas Committee it will resume sharing of key crash data with local authorities by the end of this year. Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), RSA CEO Sam Waide said that following consultation with the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC), an agreement has been reached for collision data to be shared.
Pride event organisers postpone youth disco over online slurs
Organisers have postponed a youth disco event planned as part of Wicklow Pride on foot of malicious slurs and social media posts. The comments on X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook included several falsely accusing organisers of being "groomers" and pedophiles. Furthermore, on Tuesday, the Chair of Wicklow Pride, Patrick Bracken, said a letter was posted into a committee member's letterbox saying "PEDO." "When you're being targeted on a personal level, it's quite scary...
Beyond the banner: who was elected for Independent Ireland?
With one MEP and 23 councillors elected out of 63 candidates, Independent Ireland, looks like it could be an influential grouping if it repeats the trick in the forthcoming general election. Yet across the campaign, its candidates have faced repeated questions about what the party actually stands for.
Right on? How fringe and anti-immigration candidates are faring
Immigration was said to be a major concern amongst the electorate in the lead-up to Friday's local and European elections, with much pre-election discussion focused on the topic. Dozens of candidates ran campaigns focused on the issue, spoke at protests or attended sit-ins or marches, in the run-up to the vote. With news on the European counts awaited, we already know several have seen success in the local elections.
10 things to watch on Count Day Two
The the boxes have been opened and counting is well under way in the local elections, but there are still hundreds of council seats to be filled across the country. Meanwhile, there are also 14 MEP seats to be filled in Ireland's three European constituencies. As a second day of counting begins, we ask what can these elections tell us about the state of Irish politics? And how will they shape the result of the forthcoming general election? 1. Right for Dublin?
80% of roads not covered in crash data analysis, Dept confirms
The Department of Transport has confirmed to Prime Time that crash data related to 80% of the road network in the Republic of Ireland was not included in a centralised analysis it undertook to inform road safety interventions. Local roads make up 81% of the nationwide road network and are the responsibility of local authorities, but collisions which occurred on such roads were not covered by the department's analysis.
RSA needs to come before PAC over GDPR data revelations, says TD
The Green Party's chief whip has called for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to be brought before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), following details revealed on Thursday about a GDPR issue that has resulted in up-to-date data on road traffic collisions not being available to road engineering teams in local councils. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh, a member of the PAC and Green Party TD for Waterford, said he has written to the chair to request the RSA be brought in.
How a lack of crash data is hampering Ireland's road safety aims
Prime Time has learned that due to a GDPR issue, road engineering teams in local authorities have not been able to view data on any road collisions which have happened in Ireland over the last six years. As a result, experts Prime Time spoke to said local authorities are 'shooting in the dark' when it comes to making key decisions about road improvements to address safety issues.
Microcosm of a crisis: Online posts shed light on camp clearance
For years, tension has been growing around immigration and accommodation for migrants. On Saturday, the issue ballooned once again online and political pressure increased. The events of that day shine a light on several issues related to the crisis, while details audible on protesters' own livestreams provide insights into the dynamics between local and non-local people who oppose the use of sites for migrant accommodation.
'Unfolding chaos': Watch how Dublin's riots developed
RTÉ's Prime Time programme has analysed hours of CCTV and video footage from the rioting that gripped Dublin two weeks ago, in the process piecing together a moment-to-moment timeline which sheds more light on how they developed across 23 November. The riots raised serious questions for politicians and An Garda Síochána management around policing, public safety, and the threat of Irish anti-immigration campaigns.
Canada Firm Profile Page
Bishop & McKenzie LLP is a regional law firm that has operated in Alberta for over 120 years. We specialize in putting our client's first, understanding their needs, and arriving at effective solutions. We build relationships with our clients and work collaboratively to ensure that they have piece of mind knowing that we share their commitment to their long-term goals. Your LinkedIn Connections with the authors ARTICLES AUTHORS
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 in their relationships which could indicate the potential for violence. Denise Morgan from Co Louth was shot dead in Queens, New York, by her former partner who had learned of her plan to move out of their joint apartment. Joed Taveras killed himself soon after killing Ms Morgan in the same apartment.
Ukrainian footage from Sudan casts an Irish meeting in new light
A surprising September meeting in Shannon Airport of two leaders from Ukraine and Sudan has been cast in a new light, following revelations over the last week in the Ukrainian media. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office released a picture of him meeting General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, in a room in Shannon airport on 23 September. Mr Zelensky was returning from Canada and the US, where he had addressed the United Nations General Assembly.
From above: What satellite images show of Israel's move into Gaza
As the Israeli military's ground forces advance into Gaza City, Prime Time has been compiling satellite images taken in recent weeks into a single detailed image, to try to understand the scale of military operations and destruction. Combined with footage from the ground, they help tell the story of the Israeli military’s incursion into the enclave. On 27 October, Israeli forces entered the Gaza Strip for the first time since 2014.
Interactive map: Israel's Ground Activity in Gaza
In the wake of the 7 October Hamas attacks into southern Israel which killed more than 1400 people, the Israeli Defense Forces launched a massive campaign of air strikes on hundreds of locations across Gaza. It also cut power and water supplies to the enclave and closed the border to food imports. More recently, it has begun ground operations into the enclave.
How tension in the Middle East is moving beyond Gaza and Israel
Beyond Gaza, tension has been growing in the Middle East in recent days with air strikes in Syria, bombs falling in Lebanon and violence erupting in the West Bank. Here are some of the key developments in recent days. Syrian Airports On Sunday, Israel bombed the airports in the Syrian cities of Damascus and Aleppo. Syrian state media said two workers at Damascus airport were killed in the strikes.
What is known about the blast at the hospital in Gaza?
The blast at Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza on Tuesday saw hundreds of people reported killed and triggered a wave of protests across the Middle East. It resulted in leaders of Arab countries cancelling planned meetings with US President Joe Biden, and saw Israel and Palestinian groups directing blame at each other for what may turn out to be a war crime.
Israel-Hamas: How did the conflict get to this point?
The last two weeks has seen the centuries-long conflict between Israel and Palestine explode. RTÉ previously reported on the historic - even ancient - sources of the conflict in a part of the world that is sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians alike. That piece explains the centuries-old context, but to understand the basics of what happened in the last two weeks, you could do worse than start by looking at the early 2000s.
Awards For Injury To Dignity And Self-Respect On The Rise In Alberta
Two recent cases heard by the Human Rights Tribunal of Alberta have resulted in record damages awards for employees who have suffered injuries to dignity and self-respect ("IDSR") as a result of discrimination in the workplace.
Curaçao to Cork: Here's what we know about MV Matthew's journey
Two tonnes of cocaine, valued at €157 million, have been seized from the MV Matthew. But what do we know about this 190-metre-long, 32-metre-wide ship involved in the State's largest-ever seizure? Before reaching Irish waters, the MV Matthew undertook a five-week journey, where it spent time off the Guyana coast, changed its name, and underwent a safety inspection.
GAA clubs to statues: should we reconsider who we memorialise?
On the grounds of Trinity College Dublin is a physical version of something most of us only ever see on digital screens: a redaction. A long black rectangle has been placed over the words 'The Berkeley Library.' It was installed on foot of a decision by TCD to ‘dename’ the library – the largest in the university – which was named in 1978 after George Berkeley. Berkeley is a world-renowned philosopher and was a librarian at TCD in the 1700s.
Explained: RTÉ's use of barter accounts
RTÉ has revealed in its latest correspondence to the Oireachtas Media Committee that it has operated not one but three barter accounts. The revelations have drawn further concern from politicians about the level of transparency being provided by the broadcaster to the Oireachtas. More details relating to the newly-disclosed accounts are expected at the Oireachtas Media Committee later on Wednesday.
RTÉ covered cost of staging Tubridy-hosted Renault events
More than €47,000 was spent by RTÉ to cover the cost of three events hosted for Renault by Ryan Tubridy in 2022, according to a statement from the public service broadcaster. The events took place in Cork, Dublin and Louth between March and May 2022. The cost of staging the events was €30,586. As RTÉ paid the costs through a barter account, the total cost to RTÉ came to €47,477. are usually used to record the exchange of services between companies. Using such accounts resulted in additional fees.
Explained from the start: RTÉ and the Tubridy payments
In March, Ryan Tubridy announced he would not be presenting the Late Late Show once the current season finished in May. Around the same time, auditors were raising concerns about transparency relating to payments which had been made to him in the recent past. Ryan Tubridy says the two issues are not related but the auditors' concerns have resulted in massive questions about his future in RTÉ, and about the future of RTÉ.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Mark
Contact Mark, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack