This was a very unusual and exciting episode I hosted from Wheatfield Prison. It was daunting at first when I approached the Prison, I had never been to a real prison with inmates before, and didn't know exactly what to expect. As I approached the main door, I automatically felt "guilty", but of what I wasn't sure. It has a strange affect on you when you enter a prison.

I entered the room inside and the Guard rang the people I was to meet. He told me to leave my bag with him, and that 'no recording equipment' was allowed into the prison. I told him again I was there to record a radio show for RTE Radio 1, so needed the equipment. He told me firmly no way was I allowed to bring my equipment any further into the prison. I asked him "well how do I record a radio show then?" He became annoyed with me and walked off to make a phone call. He then came back and said I was allowed to bring the equipment in. I was already nervous about entering a prison, and this was a bad start!

I thought I was being brought into a nearby room, but was very surprised when I was brought through various corridors and iron gates deep inside the prison. I was hoping there was a way out of here when I had finished. Large Iron gates were opened and locked behind me as we walked further and further into the prison. At one gate, a group of men were in a violent fight with some Prison Guards. The Guards were pushing the men, about seven of them, back behind a large gate as they were trying to lock it and stop the men from getting further. I was being lead through the Prison by a tall hefty Guard.  We stopped in our tracks to observe the disturbance. I asked 'Are you going through there?', to which he replied in a not so confident manner, 'Yep'. He then told me to keep moving, no matter what, once we get to the gates. I was not even more nervous! We walked to the gates but the other Guards just managed to close it over. They reopened it for us, and with my "body guard" beside me, we pushed our way through the men that were shouting and banging the bars of the gate. I was afraid one of them would grab me as use me as a hostage, and knowing that Clint Eastwood and Bruce Willis are only actors and won't rescue me, I was in real fear. We managed to get past the rowdy bunch of men and finally I reached the Education Department in the Prison. I set up the equipment and started to get to work! 

In the 'Training room', I set up my gear and made this programme, one of my favourites I have to say!

Outside The Box - Wheatfield Prison

While doing a LIVE interview on The Morning Show on East Coast FM with Declan Meehan, Dave Thomas was caught off guard when his partner Patrick Bracken was introduced into the programme via the telephone and he proposed to Dave LIVE. Probably the first live radio marriage proposal after the Referendum on Marriage Equality in Ireland in 2015.

East Coast FM 'Morning Show' Patrick proposes to Dave LIVE

First interview is with Finian McGrath T.D.
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This documentary tells the story of boats, building and bravery in Arklow's Maritime history. 

First broadcast on Newstalk 106-108FM.
Available for broadcast again.

Boats, Building And Bravery - Arklow's Maritime History

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Part 2 - A city of Possibilities - making the city accessible 
part 3 - How diet and autism are connected.

Outside The Box Series 2 Prog 7

A detailed, personal and revealing interview with Broadcaster, Writer Gareth O'Callaghan on the award winning series I
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This original and innovative radio documentary captures the gay perspective of Star Trek from Irish fans. All music, SFX and content was especially created for this show. It was broadcast on Ireland's national radio station Newstalk 106-108fm.

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