State pathologist to dissect career in new TV series

STATE Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy sets aside her scalpel to put herself on the dissection table in a new television documentary series exploring her unique role in the criminal justice system.

Death Duties, a three-part programme for RTÉ, chronicles Dr Cassidy’s career since she left her native Scotland in 2003 to take up the position as Ireland’s first ever female state pathologist, looking at some of the most high-profile cases she has been involved in.

In the series, she talks about the intense public and media interest in her work and discusses the issues that impact on rise of violent crime here.

The programme, due to air in the spring, is one of number of new, home-produced factual programmes and documentary series that feature in RTÉ One’s new year schedule.

Another three-parter, from award-winning documentary maker Alan Gilsenan, gives a rare insight into the lives of those preparing for death. The programme-makers were given access to St Francis’ Hospice in Raheny, Dublin, to follow patients from their admission to their passing away.

Five new home-produced dramas will also air including Rough Diamond, a six-part co-production with the BBC set in the world of horse-racing and Trouble in Paradise, another six-parter following the fortunes of a family starring Angeline Ball as one of the Little clan.

Comedy features strongly in the new RTÉ Two schedule with the return of Podge and Rodge, The Panel and Naked Camera.

Desperate Housewives and Lost return, while new to the schedules are two hit US series, the comic Ugly Betty, and the slick law drama, Justice, while popular reality shows such as Show Me The Money, I’m An Adult Get Me Out of Here and Families in Trouble are joined by The Great Escape, which follows four Irish families as they pack up in search of new lives abroad.