Philip Boucher-Hayes

This is an article about an Irish person of note. For the similar-sounding French Canadian ice-hockey player, see Philippe Boucher.
Philip Boucher-Hayes
Born
County Kildare, Ireland
NationalityIrish
EducationUniversity College Dublin (UCD)
OccupationJournalist
Notable credit(s)RTÉ News
RTÉ Radio 1
SpouseSuzanne Campbell

Philip Boucher-Hayes (born 1971) is a journalist at RTÉ. He is a news reporter, television and radio presenter. As a news reporter, RTÉ has sent Boucher-Hayes to the Kosovo War in 1999, Palestine's second Intifada in 2000, Iran, the 9/11 attacks in New York City and the U.S.'s 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Early life

Boucher-Hayes was born in County Kildare. His father lived in Leeson Street before moving out west.[1] Boucher-Hayes was educated in Newtown School, Waterford, and began his journalism career as a freelance contributor to local newspapers before going on to study History and Politics in University College Dublin (UCD).

Career

Early career

Boucher-Hayes joined RTÉ in 1993. He began his career by reporting on RTÉ Radio 1's Five Seven Live and RTÉ 2fm's The Gerry Ryan Show before producing The Gay Byrne Show. In 1997 he defected to Today FM precursor Radio Ireland for a midday presenting slot, but rejoined the 5-7 Live reporting team on RTÉ Radio 1 in 1998. He was reported in 2006 as being the new presenter of Five Seven Live.[2]

Reporting work

Boucher-Hayes reported on the Kosovo War in 1999, Latin America, the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and Iran. He worked as RTÉ's reporter for numerous historic events, including stints in Southeast Asia (post Asian tsunami), New York City (for September 11 attacks) and Iraqi Kurdistan (during the American-led invasion which preceded the Iraq War in 2003). In 2006 he broke the Israeli blockade of Lebanon and covered the duration of the July War from Beirut and Tyre. His coverage of the 14-year-old death of Brian Rossiter whilst in the custody of gardaí won him the Media Justice Award in 2005. In 2006's "Peak Oil" he was the man behind the series of features on Ireland's looming energy crisis.[3]

He covered Irish politician Liam Lawlor's release from jail.[4] Other issues addressed include water contamination in Galway.[5]

Radio work

Boucher-Hayes presented the investigative radio series, Investigation on One on RTÉ Radio 1 each Monday evening. The show was given its own segment on Today with Pat Kenny the morning before broadcast, with Boucher-Hayes presenting the evidence in a style that was compared to a "scene where Hercule Poirot explains the whole thing to an assembly of slow-witted guests in the drawing room".[6]

He has also presented Liveline in the absence of regular presenter Joe Duffy.[7]

On 19 October 2022, it was confirmed that Boucher-Hayes would take up presenting duties on Countrywide on RTÉ Radio 1.[8]

Television work

Boucher-Hayes presented the consumer affairs programme Buyer Beware! in 2008.[9]

His other television presenting roles on RTÉ One include the series What Are You Eating. Documentaries presented include Future Shock: The Last Drop, What's Ireland Eating?, The Du Plantier Case, What Are You Working For?, Head Shops and Hot Air: Ireland’s Climate Crisis (2019).[10][11]

He appeared on The Panel on 27 November 2008.[12]

Personal life

Boucher-Hayes lives in County Wicklow with his wife Suzanne Campbell.[13] He is an atheist.[14] He is the nephew of fellow RTÉ radio broadcaster Myles Dungan.

References

  1. ^ Carey, Anna (12 September 2009). "We are what we eat". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  2. ^ "English to step down from RTÉ's radio flagship". Irish Independent. 11 May 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  3. ^ "Philip Boucher-Hayes". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 17 February 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  4. ^ "Cut to the chase -- showbiz takes over Lawlor story". The Sunday Business Post. 13 January 2002. Archived from the original on 13 May 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  5. ^ "Philip Boucher Hayes breaks down the findings of a recent report as part of a series on the quality of Irish water". RTÉ. Retrieved 16 December 2008.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Philip Boucher-Hayes . . . a fun guy to be with in the morning". Sunday Tribune. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Heaney, Mick (2 June 2018). "No Joe as Philip Boucher-Hayes puts positive stamp on 'Liveline': Stand-in host brings distinctive spin to adoption and referendum issues, but Gay Byrne remains the old master". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 June 2018. 'My name is Philip, but you can call me whatever you want. People have been calling me Joe all week long', he tells one caller, Margaret.
  8. ^ "Philip Boucher-Hayes announced as new Countrywide presenter on RTÉ Radio 1". RTÉ News. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Buyer Beware'". RTÉ. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  10. ^ "Philip Boucher-Hayes: What to expect from an RTÉ programme about the climate crisis". TheJournal.ie. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  11. ^ Cumiskey, Neasa (19 October 2022). "Philip Boucher-Hayes to replace Damien O'Reilly's on RTÉ's Countrywide after shock exit". Sunday World. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  12. ^ "The Panel - Thursday, 27 November 2008". RTÉ. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  13. ^ Flannery, Jennifer (18 August 2021). "Inside the life of RTE star Philip Boucher-Hayes as he sits in for Claire Byrne". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  14. ^ Feighan, Irene (3 March 2017). "The shape I'm in: Philip Boucher-Hayes, journalist". Irish Examiner. I'm an atheist.