GP at Varadkar Leak Row, Dr. Maitiú Ó Tuathail to co-present the TG4 documentary series on the history of epidemics in Ireland

The prominent GP Dr. Maitiú Ó Tuathail will present a new history and science documentary on TG4, examining the history of the epidemics in Ireland.

he new TG4 series entitled Epidéim, begins May 4th and will look at epidemics in Ireland’s past, including smallpox, typhoid, polio and TB, and eventually how they have affected our response to Covid-19.

dr Ó Tuathail is the focus of an ongoing investigation into Tánaiste Leo Varadkar’s leaking of a confidential government document to him when he was head of the now-defunct National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) in 2019.

The NAGP represented 2,000 GPs, but without a license to negotiate, it was left out of talks between the Department of Health and rival GP group, the Irish Medical Organization (IMO), although NAGP members would be asked to sign the agreement.

Mr. Varadkar sent a copy of the draft contract to Dr. O Tuathail. It subsequently led to a Garda investigation into Mr Varadkar’s role and a finding is awaited.

dr Ó Tuathail, a fluent Irish speaker from Lettermore in Galway, will be present along with social historian Síobhra Aiken from Queen’s University in Belfast.

He said: “This Covid-19 pandemic, as well as those that have preceded it, are all following a similar path.

“I believe that telling these stories will offer perspective, but also hope. We have seen epidemics and pandemics many, many times. Each has had a massive impact and shaped the world in their own way, as this one will.”

Ms Aiken added: “These stories remind us that epidemics are an inevitable feature of human existence and provide examples of how communities have dealt with and endured.”