Ciara Kelly takes over Hook slot

GREYSTONES woman Ciara Kelly has hung up her stethoscope and picked up headphones, with her new job as rio presenter on Newstalk.

Ciara is George Hook’s replacement on the station’s lunchtime slot, taking the reins of a new show called Lunchtime Live.

After 20 years a doctor, 14 of those in Carrig clinic in Greystones, she is heading for Marconi House.

‘It’s with a lot of sadness that I am leaving my patients and colleagues in Carrig Clinic after nearly 14 years of working there,’ she said on her Facebook page.

‘It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work here in Greystones with some of the best people I have ever met and I have always thought that I got as much back from my patients in terms of support and feeling uplifted as I ever gave - maybe more in fact.

‘I didn’t expect to be leaving at this time… Life takes some odd twists and turns but being offered the job of presenting Lunchtime live on Newstalk feels like something I would regret walking away from.’

‘ This is my next chapter. It may be great it may be a disaster! But I’d rather try it and fail than never try it at all.’

In the show, Ciara will tackle a variety of topics from current affairs and politics to lifestyle and human interest stories.

George Hook left his ‘Right Hook’ show on Newstalk following an internal investigation over comments he made on-air about rape.

The 76-year-old’s remarks were made while he discussed the case of a woman (19), who alleges she was raped by a former member of the British swim team on his show on Friday September 8.

‘Is there no blame to the person who puts themselves in danger?’ he asked.