SINGLE-HANDED. Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), Ireland. TV mini-series: 1-2 Jan 2007; 1-2 Jan 2008; 12-13 Apr 2009. Owen McDonnell, Ruth McCabe, David Herlihy, Briain Gleeson, Ian McElhinney, Marcella Plunkett.

   This is an Irish production that has just been shown here in England as a three part series, but, checking the Internet, I find that it was original broadcast in Ireland at one episode a year, two parts each, from 2007 to 2009

   Jack Driscoll is a sergeant in the Irish police force who has moved back to the rural and sparsely populated west of the country where he becomes effectively a one man force (hence the title) though he has a helper and a superior turns up from time to time. (Jack’s the one on the left in the photo.)

   He has taken over from his father but as his investigation into the death of young female immigrant proceeds he finds that the squeaky-clean reputation that his father holds is, in reality, somewhat blemished. In the second episode this story comes to a head and in the third an old flame, and former colleague, comes to the area as part of an operation.

   This was an intriguing series with an intriguing setting and with very bleak story lines. It is well worth watching and I would recommend watching them in the order of production as the consequences of each programme are evident in the next.