Sharon Ní Bheoláin steps down from RTÉ’s Crimecall after 5 years as new host revealed

The long-running RTÉ show uses reconstructions, CCTV footage and live studio appeals to help crack garda investigations.

Crimecall will return for it’s 20th season next Monday on RTÉ One with presenter Carla O’Brien taking the helm.

Stepping back after five years, Sharon Ní Bheoláin said the show has been a “privilege” to host and the time has come to “move on”.

“Crimecall is a valued piece of public service broadcasting and it was nothing short of a privilege to host the show for five and a half years. Alas, it’s time for me to move on but not before expressing my sincere gratitude to the dedicated Crimecall team, the studio crew, and An Garda Síochána all of whom made my job look easy,” said Ms Ní Bheoláin.

“In particular, I’d like to pay tribute to the many brave programme contributors; victims of crime, their families and loved ones of missing persons who spoke to me so movingly, often in the most grief-stricken circumstances.

“It’s my great pleasure to hand over the baton now to my super-talented friend and colleague Carla O’Brien.

“I know she will do a great job. I know our loyal viewers will continue to tune in in great numbers and help Gardaí where they can with their crime appeals.”

RTÉ announces new presenters taking over Six One and Nine O’clock News

Ms Ní Bheoláin will present the Nine O’Clock News on rotation with Broadcaster Ray Kennedy.

The new Crimecall presenter Carla O’Brien said, “It is an honour and a privilege to the given the opportunity to present such a long-running and popular programme as Crimecall, which is a cornerstone of public service broadcasting.

“I look forward to working with An Garda Síochána, the production team and, most importantly, the viewers, who make the programme possible.”

Kicking off the show next week, the family of Dublin man Martin Lynn speaks about his death and hopes the public can help Gardaí with their investigation.

The show also covers the 37-year-old mystery of a body that washed up on the Leitrim coast in 1986.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who might recognise the detail on the body’s distinctive tattoos.

Crimecall will also hear from a man rebuilding his life after escaping from forced labour in rural Ireland.

Crimecall will air on RTÉ One, Monday 25 September, 9.35pm