Following the 2008 global economic slump, Jerome Hughes and his news crews spent countless hours at the European Council in Brussels waiting for EU leaders to reach conclusions to try and save the eurozone. However, the human cost of the crisis stands out for them. They interviewed so many people who were facing awful financial hardship. Aside from the economy, they covered many other big stories. Whether it is relations with Russia over the situation in Ukraine or conflicts in Africa and West Asia, the Press TV news bureau in Brussels has always been at the forefront when EU institutions are making pivotal decisions.

Brussels attracted the world's gaze for all the wrong reasons in March 2016. Terrorists killed 32 civilians and injured more than 300 people. Once again Jerome Hughes and his team were at the scene, conveying the details of this atrocity to a shocked worldwide audience.

The story that has dominated most of our time in recent years, however, relates to the refugee crisis. Millions of asylum seekers have travelled into the EU and tens of thousands have perished at sea while trying. Hughes has consistently thrown a spotlight over the bloc's much-criticized asylum system. The coverage has been unmatched.

The many facets of Donald Trump's era have also been fascinating to report, from an EU perspective. In this regard, trade disputes and Trump's efforts to destroy the Iran nuclear deal resonate. Over the years Hughes and his team have spent a lot of time at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Prior to his move to Brussels, Hughes worked for TV3 News in Ireland and also the British broadcaster, Sky News. The record shows Hughes has delivered numerous exclusive news reports and have made several documentaries that were later nominated for awards.

Achievements:

2011 - Nominated for a Law Society of Ireland 'Justice Media Award' for a documentary on the long-term effects of clerical abuse.

2010 - Accepted Award on behalf of TV3 for 'Best News Programme' at the prestigious Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTA).

2009 - Documentary “Abuse of Trust – Sins of the Fathers” nominated for an IFTA Award.

2001 – 'Radio Journalist of the Year' finalist at the PPI Awards.

1996 – Received BBC Radio Ulster Student of the Year Award.

Documentary Details:

“Homeless at Christmas” (2010) – ‘Fly on the Wall’ documentary exposing the harsh reality of homelessness in Ireland through the personal experience of living for three days and nights as a homeless person in Dublin. Undercover report on living conditions and drug abuse within homeless hostels. This acclaimed exposé was nominated for a number of high profile awards.

“Abuse of Trust – Sins of the Fathers” (2010) - IFTA nominated report on clerical abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese in anticipation of the findings of the ‘Murphy Report’ into allegations of child abuse.

“More Money than Sense – How we Blew the Boom” (2009) – Feature length report detailing the billions of euro of wasted government expenditure during the ‘Celtic Tiger’ years. Involved extensive research and perusal of publications particularly those of the Comptroller and Auditor General of Ireland.

“Maddie – Secrets of the Dossier” (2009) - First detailed analysis of the investigation by Portuguese Police into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann based on the contents of their extensive final report.