The Hot Press drugs issue is on newsstands now and the accompanying hard-hitting TV ad has already caused controversy.
A toned-down version of the clip, which depicts a drugs mule ingesting and 'delivering' packages of cocaine, has aired on RTE, but the full, original version can be viewed below.
This special edition of Hot Press features the most comprehensive - and chilling - account of the drugs situation in Ireland today. The compendium of articles, views and interviews on drugs in Ireland is a body of work that will shock, stun and sometimes frighten. The Irish public has never before been offered such an honest and in-depth account of drugs in Ireland’s towns, streets, and neighbourhoods.
"Cops. Doctors. Politicians. Dealers. Users. Counsellors. Parents. Writers. Poets. Singers, seekers and dreamers. They are all represented here," says editor Niall Stokes. "Some of the stories are heart breaking. All of them are real. There is no party line. Our objective was to inspire properly informed debate. In this regard, I think the Hot Press team have done a wonderful job."
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The advert is the first production from Screenworks Ireland, a new company set up by the people who brought you the controversial Billie Piper ITV series Secret Diary of a Call Girl. Actors are Ann McCartney and Mick O'Toole.
The Dublin-born DJ, who is Britain's premier music tastemaker, returns this Autumn with her definitive selection of her favourite tracks from the past year: Annie Mac Presents 2016.
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Following disappointment in Rio, the Belfast fighter is headed for the paid ranks
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The launch of a stunning new limited-edition bottle designed by Scott Campbell will see some cracking musical offerings
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Van Outen, a West End star, and McGuinness, the 2015 winner of Strictly Come Dancing team up with Diana Vickers and Gary Wilmot for a musical spectacular that brings to life the much-loved film.
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Led by Barq frontwoman Jess Kav, we're pinning our colours to the mast and calling for a repeal of Ireland's archaic abortion laws in a special issue of the magazine.
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A virtual viewing room kicking into action yesterday
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There’s no shortage of competition as RTE, TV3 and independent producers go head to head in the nominations for IFTA’s Gala Television Awards 2016
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The well-known priest, who has already been censured once by the Vatican, has spoken out controversially on a range of Church and personal issues in the second part of a major Hot Press interview.
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An exciting new production coming all the way from London, Enda Walsh's Disco Pigs is set for a return to Cork.
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The star of 90s returns to the stage this month
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The New York band will delight fans in both Dublin and Belfast venues to coincide with the release of their seventh album Tidal Wave.
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The Afro-European based collective have always been a musical force to be reckoned with.
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Pygmalion will host an evening to celebrate Hennessy's brand new limited-edition bottle
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Matt Cooper will literally have The Last Word thanks to his programme team and producers who have come up with the idea of daring Matt to write and perform as part of the station's new charity fundraiser, Dare to Care.
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After a highly publicised split with ex-wife and Made in Chelsea star, Millie MacIntosh, Professor Green is back making music, and there's little subtly in his lyrics.
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The electronic trio from London have released their first new music in over a year. 'Meteorite' features on the soundtrack for Bridget Jones' Baby.
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Fans of the Disney classic try to contain your excitement.
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The first time any of Oasis’s legendary Mustique Demos have ever been publically released, the track is now available to stream or download.
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This afternoon saw the surprise release of the Rage Against The Machine firebrand’s debut solo single.
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The iconic punk-rock drummer is just one of the upcoming highlights out west
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The Tennessee-born singer is coming to Dublin to play a headline set on March 3.
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Fresh from his performance at Electric Picnic last week, Brian Deady, along with a full band, announces a headline show at St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny on December 17.
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The news comes as the multi-platinum singer/songwriter, who climbed to the top of the UK charts last year with his hit single 'Stitches', announces a major headline arena world tour.
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The Irish Film & Television Academy is to present the veteran broadcaster with the award at the IFTA Gala Television Awards.
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It's been three years since Madness last released any new music, but today the iconic English ska band have released the video for their new song 'Mr. Apples'.
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According The Strokes guitarist, the band are currently working on new music which they hope to release next year.
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The outspoken TD, subject of an extraordinary Hot Press Interview earlier this summer, claimed his hand may be forced after a review of hospital services in Waterford
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The Detroit-born rapper will play at the Academy on November 14. The announcement comes as Danny Brown begins "The Exhibition Tour" which precedes the release of his fourth studio album, The Atrocity Exhibition.
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Gallery X is the spot to be from Friday
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Keaton Henson will release his third official studio album Kindly Now on September 16th. Having sold out the Roundhouse in London earlier this year, Keaton has also confirmed plans for his biggest European headline shows to date, including a rare appearance at the Olympia Theatre.
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In January 2016, The Guardian reported that at least 10,000 refugee and migrant children have gone missing since arriving in Europe. Bláthnaid Treacy, Little Green Cars and Wyvern Lingo are amongst other speakers in the video who urge viewers to sign a petition pressuring politicians to take action.
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Last Friday, Universal Music announced a remarkable record deal to sign Music for Cats, the first ever major label deal for music aimed at animals rather than humans. This album, composed by America’s National Symphony Orchestra cellist, David Teie, has been scientifically proven to enrich the lives of cats and provide a calming influence for our feline friends.
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Ireland’s iconic Riverdance, and the legendary singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke, will headline ‘Achill Aid’, a benefit concert hosted by Galway Hospice, in association with the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association on Friday, September 30 at the Achill Island Hotel from 8pm.
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October 10th marks the 50th anniversary of the release of one of pop music’s most iconic songs of all time, The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.” To celebrate, the band have teamed up with Capitol U/ME to release a special 12-inch sunburst vinyl EP on October 7.
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The American musician is coming to Dublin next February to bless us with his own unique brand of indie rock and folk music.
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Mick Flannery has announced the release of his fifth album I Own You and has shared with us the first single from that album.
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The new trailer for season 3 of the slow-burning crime drama starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan has been released and shows Dornan's serial killer character, Phil Spector, fighting for his life in intensive care.
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The point may prove valuable as the group progresses – but it was torture watching Ireland’s one-dimensional approach in Belgrade last night.
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"Tenement's Song" is the third single from Head Carrier, the sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band.
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BBC Radio Ulster tonight celebrates 30 years of the hugely influential rock programme Across The Line with a gig in the Ulster Hall that boasts a star-studded bill.
Read More The album was a seminal part of the Oasis story and will be re-issue of the album will be released on October 7. Today it has been revealed that a deluxe edition of the album will be available.
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A dramatic week in Irish politics, which dangled the possibility of a €13 billion windfall for the Irish economy, ended in an agreement this morning between Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance to appeal the European Commission’s decision.
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ABC's Martin Fry, Booka Brass Band and Ryan Sheridan are just a few of the names ready to come calling today
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The American comedian will be chatting to Hot Press at 6.30PM tomorrow ahead of his performance in the Comedy tent. You can tune in on our website to see it.
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Paul and Gary O'Donovan won the hearts of their fellow countrymen after winning silver medals for rowing in Rio, then going on to provide some of the best craic in the interviews that followed. Now they're guests on The Late Late Show this evening.
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The Chemical Brothers first played at Electric Picnic ten years ago and, as they line up to headline the Main Stage on Friday night, it kind of feels like they've never really left.
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Mr. G leads his High Flying Birds onto the Stradbally stage later today, so what better chance than to look back at one of the finest interviews of last year, where – not wholly surprisingly – he wasn’t in much of a mood to hold back
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And that's not the only upcoming highlight in the Galway venue
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Every time for every stage in one spot – happy Picnicking!
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Another eclectic mix of acts line up to take to the atmospheric stage on Day 3
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A very special guest will close the evening out, but with the nation's finest dance band and a fast-rising rock trio confirmed, it can only be another magical day
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Ireland's hottest hip-hoppers close the bill - and the nation's finest horn-blowers fire the unmissable opening shot!
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Some major leg-shaking awaits to close the evening – but not without Ireland's hottest new act getting involved earlier in the day
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Dance, rap, and plenty in between – it's a feast for the senses as Rankin's Wood opens its tent flaps
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One of Ireland's finest live bands close the show, but there's a superstar bill leading up to its grand conclusion
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From a rising Irish star to veteran party-starters, a true feast of musical goodness awaits on Day 2
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Topped by the experimental dance duo, it's a stunning start for the perennial festival highlight
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Sure, there'll be a tear shed towards the end of another year – but what a way to finish!
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A typically stellar cast takes to the centre of operations for Day 2 – capped off by a truly glorious comeback
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One of our own kicks things off – while the final bow is left to veterans of the festival arena
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Pantha du Prince promises a stellar finish to matters – but there's plenty more star turns to look out for
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Dance don Avery will close the show - but a series of awesome Irish acts can be seen earlier in the day
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From synth-pop to ol' fashioned rock'n'roll, a veritable smorgasbord awaits as the action concludes
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It might be taking a rest day to begin – but the stage explodes into life from the start of Day 2!
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The second stage closes in style with the grime man-of-the-moment in centre stage
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The second stage sees a healthy mix of international superstars and homegrown heroes on Day 2
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The second stage kicks off with an almighty bang as Wales' finest close matters out for night one
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The show closes at the perennial highlight – but not without an appearance from the comebacking Mullingar men
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The action continues over at the weird and wonderful attraction – including a star turn by Cavan's finest
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The host with the most will be leading the party as another year of one of the fringe highlights kicks off
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There's one more day left to climb aboard – but there's certainly a welcoming gang of fellow passengers awaiting!
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The good ship continues on its path – check out the superlative performers on deck for the middle day of the weekender
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All the need-to-knows as the famous ship sets sail on the first day
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If you're looking to get some giggles in before heading home, then look no further – your choices are right here
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Check out who'll be on rib-tickling duties as the tent opens its flaps for its first day
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Launched at the National Concert Hall, the network’s new look schedule features a mix of familiar faces and exciting new talent
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Frank Turner has announced a massive UK and Ireland tour for this coming winter, with the tour kicking off in the Olympia in Dublin on November 16.
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Chris Brown is under criminal investigation for allegedly "threatening a woman with a gun" at his home in LA.
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James Corden has spoofed Kanye West's new 'Fade' music video, which the artist premiered at Sunday night's VMAs.
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One half of Deadpool's screenwriting duo has revealed that Ryan Reynolds paid for him and his co-writer to be present on set during shooting.
Read More Some of the world’s greatest acts will assemble for this year’s festival; we pick out the ten you can’t afford to miss.
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Tributes have poured in after the death of Gene Wilder yesterday. The star of classics such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, passed away from complications from Alzheimer's disease at his home in Connecticut.
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Connoisseurs of Corkonian cocaine comedies step this way...
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Stephen Fry is among Michael Flynn's burgeoning fan club!
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Fresh off the back of their eponymous EP, the Limerick city-based alternative-rock band are no strangers to Hot Press and stopped by our offices for a performance.
Read More Derry Girls is the brainchild of Stroke City native Lisa McGee
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You can binge on Netflix's hip hop romp now!
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Live action adaptations have become a hot item for Disney. Looks like they’re lining up yet another project.
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Their annual Vicar Street stop will be a little bit special this time round
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Beyoncé was the big winner last night at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.
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Lisa Hannigan's latest release At Swim leads the charge for best album.
Read More LCD Soundsystem, Lana Del Rey and The Chemical Brothers are among the hundreds of acts set to play Electric Picnic next weekend.
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Jason Momoa has a new brand of Guinness brewed for him after his visit to the Guinness brewery.
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