And now — at 49 — you might be surprised to learn that Floyd Money Mayweather may be about to lose a majority of that wealth.

Ciara is joined by Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill

Ciara is joined by Professor Laura McAtackney from the School of the Human Environment at UCC

 Maybe, trying to get a handle on things that maybe haven’t quite made sense for a while. 

 For some, that process is pretty straightforward — for others, it opens up something bigger than they were expecting. 

Ciara is joined by photographer Ruth Medjber and Dr. Brendan Kelly, Professor in Psychiatry in Trinity College Dublin

 But after the latest escalation involving Iran… and now the war in Lebanon… that certainty might be starting to slip 

 So, is the great friendship between these two nations built to last, or will this current conflict prove its demise? 

Ciara is joined by Freddie Hayward, US Correspondent for the New Statesman and by Public opinion researcher and columnist at Haaretz newspaper, Dahlia Scheindlin 

 At the same time, a separate site is coming under renewed scrutiny.  

 Planning permission has been granted for housing on lands linked to the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in Cork — where women and hundreds of children are still unaccounted for.

Ciara is joined by Maeve O’Rourke Senior Lecturer in Human Rights Law at the University of Galway, who is also one of the campaigners behind Bessborough

This week, Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information into the killing of Emer O’Loughlin... A case that continues to haunt the family in the small Clare community of Ennistymon.

Ciara is joined by Páraic McMahon, Head of News and Sport with The Clare Echo

Ciara is joined by Ábel Bede, a freelance journalist based in Hungary

Now, in a significant escalation, Jim O’Callaghan has said the Defence Forces will be deployed to help remove vehicles obstructing critical infrastructure.

With disruption affecting emergency services, transport, and access to essential goods, the Government says the situation has gone “beyond the pale”, while protesters argue they are being pushed to the brink by soaring fuel costs.

So what does calling in the army actually mean in practice? And Is this an unprecedented move, or part of standard “aid to the civil power?"

Ciara Doherty is joined by Security and Defence Anayst, and former member of the Defence Forces, Declan Power to unpack the latest developments.

 And now, a question that’s been off the table for decades is quietly creeping back in — should Ireland go nuclear? 

Ciara is joined by Dr Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at University College Cork and Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail.

Sponsors pulled back. Community leaders spoke out. And the controversy quickly reached the highest levels of British politics. Then came the decisive move: the UK government revoked his permission to travel. The festival was cancelled. 

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by Vincent McAviney in London and DJ Stevie G from Cork’s Red FM to examine how it all unfolded, why the British government took such a firm line, and whether an artist’s work can ever be separated from their words. 

Because in 2026, Kanye West remains one of the most influential — and divisive — figures in global culture. 

But while some peptides are well established in medicine — from insulin to drugs like Ozempic — a growing number of injectable products being promoted online are completely unregulated and not approved for human use. So, what exactly are people buying… and injecting? 

Ciara Doherty looks at the rapid rise of the peptide boom, the social media hype driving it, and the very real risks behind the trend. With younger audiences increasingly exposed to “looksmaxxing” culture and quick-fix beauty promises, are people turning themselves into test subjects for products with little to no clinical backing? Skin expert Eavanna Breen and Future Beauty CEO Nikki Dwyer join the podcast to separate fact from fiction, explain the science behind peptides, and ask whether regulation is falling dangerously behind a fast-moving trend. 

📩 Email your thoughts to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com or find Ciara on Instagram @officialciarad 

🌐 Learn more from Eavanna Breen 
Explore expert skin advice and treatments at: https://www.eavannabreen.ie/ 

🎙️ Check out Nikki Dwyer’s podcast, Fess Up 
Honest chats on beauty, business and more: https://www.goloudnow.com/podcasts/fess-up-1048 

After a cancer diagnosis three years ago, Flatley stepped back and claims he trusted others to manage his affairs. What followed became a complex web of claims, counterclaims, and courtroom showdowns, involving tens of millions of euro and serious allegations on all sides. 

So how did one of Ireland’s most successful performers end up fighting on so many fronts at once? And what are the financial and personal stakes as these cases continue to unfold? Ciara Doherty is joined by Francesca Comyn, legal editor with The Currency, to guide us through the twists, the claims, and what could come next. 

With legislation now being drafted and wider questions emerging about the risks of artificial intelligence, this story goes far beyond one relationship — and into the heart of how technology, power and consent intersect in modern life. 

Ciara Doherty is joined by The Guardian’s Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly to explain how this scandal unfolded, why it struck such a chord, and what happens next. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty explores why we’re so reluctant to invest — from the legacy of the financial crash to the confusing world of tax rules, ETFs and “deemed disposal”. She’s joined by personal finance expert Sinead Ryan to break down how the proposed scheme might work, what we can learn from past efforts like the SSIAs, and whether trust in investing can take root in Ireland. 

If your money is sitting in the bank, this conversation might make you think twice. 

🎧 Listen to Sineád on The Home Show every Saturday evening on Newstalk or via the GoLoud Player: 
https://www.newstalk.com/shows/home-show-sinead-ryan-834260 

Joined by tech expert and former Apple employee Andy O'Donoghue, the podcast traces the key moments that defined Apple’s journey — from the vision of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, through early breakthroughs like the Macintosh, to the near-collapse of the 1990s and the remarkable comeback that followed. From the iPod to the iPhone, Apple didn’t just compete — it reshaped entire industries. 

The decision follows years of growing pressure — from athletes, federations, and shifting political currents — and marks a sharp turn away from the IOC’s previous, more inclusive framework. So, what does the science actually say about performance advantages? How robust is the case for exclusion at an elite level? And what happens when global policy filters into national and grassroots sport? 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Dr Blair Hamilton — a researcher in sport policy and a former footballer directly affected by similar rules in the UK — to explore the reality behind the headlines, the human impact, and what comes next as the world looks ahead to LA 2028. 

Get in touch with your thoughts: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Shane and clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy explore this role reversal, something they’ve both experienced over the past few years. They look at the rise of the “sandwich generation,” balancing children, careers, and ageing parents. And they discuss anticipatory grief — the sense of loss that can come before death, particularly in cases like dementia. If you’re experiencing this, you’re not alone. 

You can share your story at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

They trace the platform’s rapid rise, through the pivot into adult content that supercharged its growth during the Covid 19 pandemic, and dig into the business model that allows it to generate extraordinary profits with a tiny workforce. 

Ciara presses Kate on the uncomfortable questions too: who really benefits from the platform, how much control creators actually have, and whether the promise of easy money matches the reality for most users. 

With the recent death of its secretive owner, Leonid Radvinsky, the conversation turns to what happens next for the company — including the possibility of a sale and whether OnlyFans can ever move beyond the adult content that built it. 

And with an Irish CEO at the helm and Revenue increasingly scrutinising earnings from the platform, Ciara and Kate explore why this global story is hitting closer to home. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty looks at what happens in those final hours before kick-off. The noise, the nerves, the pressure, and how elite athletes learn to manage it all when everything is on the line. From blocking out distractions and handling expectation, to building belief and staying calm under pressure, what separates those who thrive from those who falter? 

Performance coach and former Armagh footballer Enda McNulty joins Ciara to explain how mindset and preparation can shape the outcome of a game before it even begins. With insights from elite sport — and lessons that go far beyond the pitch — this is a look at the psychology of high performance when it matters most. 

And as Ireland prepare for a huge night in Prague… the question is simple: can they hold their nerve?

The prize is a place at World Cup 2026.

But with Trump and Infantino and the war in Iran overshadowing the whole event do we even really want to be there?

Ciara is joined by Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill and Eve Conway

Contracts with accommodation providers are ending, and payments to households are being reduced. But billions of euro have already been spent. A handful of private companies were paid a sizeable chunk of that money. And as the State pulls away, it faces a new problem — large legal bills from developers heavily invested in projects that were later cancelled. 

Meanwhile, the wider housing system remains under intense pressure. Rents are high, supply is tight, and the question at the heart of it all is: if State support is reduced… where are people supposed to go? 

On today's podcast, Ciara Doherty talks to Niall Sargent, Current Affairs Correspondent with The Currency. 

🎧 If you want to understand how we got here… it’s worth going back to an earlier Newstalk Daily — Profiting from Protection: Who’s Made Millions from Refugee Housing? 

That episode digs into the money behind the system — the companies, the contracts, and the billions in public spending that built what we’re now trying to unwind. 

You can find it now on GoLoud: 
https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/profiting-from-protection-whos-m-NWY4YzVmMDg3NDQyNzkwZGY4MDNjM2EzNmEyOWFhZmE= 

📰 And if you want to stay across this story, Niall Sargent’s reporting is essential reading. You can follow his work here: 
https://thecurrency.news/ 

The latest figures from the Residential Tenancies Board show more than 20,000 notices were issued in 2025. In many cases, tenants aren’t being evicted for wrongdoing, but because landlords are selling — reducing supply and ramping up pressure on renters. 

At the same time, new rental rules have come into force, aimed at stabilising the market. But the Government’s own analysis warned they could lead to higher rents and more “economic evictions” in the short term. 

Ciara is joined by Michael Clifford, special correspondent with the Irish Examiner, to explore the policy choices, the market shifts, and the real-world impact on tenants. Because in Ireland, eviction is never just about housing. 

You can email the podcast at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

A retired FBI agent with nearly 30 years on the job, Moran worked on some of the most high-profile organised crime investigations in New York, from the infamous Lufthansa heist to the undercover world that inspired Donnie Brasco. Along the way, he crossed paths with real-life mob figures, wiretaps, surveillance ops, and the kind of split-second decisions that don’t always make it into the movies. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Neil about the reality behind the Hollywood versions: the risks, the injuries, the long hours — and the moments that nearly ended his career. 

Neil Moran’s memoir Stories is out now.

It’s a 20-year saga involving defiance, court battles, rejected appeals, and a family who openly admitted their decision to build was a “life-changing mistake,” yet kept fighting to save their home right to the bitter end. 

Today's podcast traces the full story — from the first planning refusal in 2006, through years of legal setbacks, to the dramatic moment Gardaí arrived to enforce a High Court order. And asks the bigger question: in the middle of a housing crisis, does knocking this house make sense? 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Amy Molloy, News and Investigations Correspondent with the Irish Independent. 

At first, no one claimed responsibility. The White House said it was investigating. President Donald Trump suggested Iran itself might have been to blame. But thousands of miles away, a team of journalists began piecing together the truth.

Using satellite images, online videos, missile analysis, and old military imagery, reporters from The New York Times reconstructed what happened that morning. Their investigation pointed to a chilling conclusion: a precision American Tomahawk cruise missile struck the school while US forces attacked a nearby naval base.

One of those was Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Malachy Browne, working from Limerick as part of the Times’ Visual Investigations unit. On today’s Newstalk Daily, Malachy explains to Ciara Doherty how open-source evidence allowed reporters to locate the exact building that was hit, identify the weapon used, and challenge official claims about one of the most controversial strikes of the war.

Now a detailed investigation by Reuters claims to finally put a real name to the most famous anonymous artist on the planet. So how did a street artist with a spray can become a global cultural phenomenon? Why did Banksy’s graffiti start getting preserved instead of painted over? And if the mystery really has been solved… does knowing the name change anything? 

Ciara Doherty is joined by broadcaster and producer Eoin Sweeney to talk about the legend of Banksy, the investigation that may have unmasked him, and why the world has been so fascinated by the artist who refused to show his face. 

📖 Read the Reuters investigation here:  
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/global-art-banksy/ 

Last year, Micheál Martin avoided the kind of public clash that had erupted days earlier between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This year’s visit comes at another tense international moment — and with criticism from Ireland’s president Catherine Connolly over US-Israeli strikes on Iran. So what kind of reception might the Taoiseach face this time? 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s political correspondent Seán Defoe, who has been inside those Oval Office encounters, to explain how the shamrock ceremony works, why the stakes feel higher now, and what Micheál Martin could be walking into this St Patrick’s Day.

A civil case in London’s High Court has been brought by three victims of IRA bombings in Britain. The plaintiffs argue that Gerry Adams, as a senior figure within the republican movement, bore responsibility for decisions that led to those bombings. Adams rejects that claim. He has repeatedly and consistently said he was never a member of the IRA. 

This is not a criminal trial. No one faces prison. The case is about civil liability, and the damages being sought amount to just £1 — a symbolic sum intended to establish responsibility. So, what exactly is being argued in court? And why has this case been brought now? 

Ciara Doherty speaks to Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor of The Irish Times, who has been inside the Royal Courts of Justice in London covering the case.

Critics warn these markets could create perverse incentives, where insiders with privileged information about wars, diplomacy or political decisions might quietly profit before the rest of the world knows what’s coming. As billions of dollars flow through platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, their influence is becoming harder to ignore.

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty speaks to Declan Lynch, columnist with the Sunday Independent and author of Tony 10, and Marshall Cohen, senior reporter with CNN.

Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman who Gambled €10,000,000 … and lost it all, written by Declan Lynch and Tony O’Reilly, is published by Gill Books.

Follow Marshall’s reporting on X @MarshallCohen

For many households, it feels like a familiar story. A war breaks out, markets panic, and prices here in Ireland shoot up overnight. Petrol, energy, transport and, before long, the weekly grocery shop. But once prices go up… they rarely seem to come back down. So, what’s really going on? 

Why do global shocks hit Irish consumers so quickly? Are companies simply passing on higher costs — or are some taking advantage of the moment? And when governments promise to investigate possible price gouging, how easy is it to prove? 

On today’s podcast Ciara Doherty speaks to Dr Oliver Browne of Cork University Business School about why prices spike so fast — and why they can be so stubborn about falling again. 

Irish horses and trainers have dominated the meeting in recent years, with powerful yards run by the likes of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott turning the festival into a showcase for the strength of Ireland’s National Hunt racing industry. But Cheltenham is about far more than what happens on the track. 

For many, it’s a cultural event as much as a sporting one — four days of trackside banter, socialising, style, betting, and the kind of atmosphere that keeps punters coming back year after year. Employers even speak of a “Cheltenham Effect,” with Irish businesses estimating millions of euros in lost productivity as workers quietly follow the races during the week. 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk broadcaster Meghann Scully and Off The Ball’s John Duggan to talk about the sport, the spectacle, and the unique place Cheltenham holds in Irish culture. 

For all the latest from Off The Ball at Cheltenham, check out: https://www.offtheball.com/racing

They explore the human cost of criminalisation, the forgotten cases like John Roche, and the long shadow of stigma that followed men well into later life. With legislation now being prepared to formally disregard these convictions, Kieran explains what meaningful justice could look like and why this is more than just a symbolic gesture. 

It’s a reminder that equality is hard-won, fragile, and worth fighting for—past, present, and future. Email your thoughts to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Starmer has taken a quite cautious legal approach, refusing to commit the UK to offensive strikes on Iran and insisting that British military action must be lawful and clearly in the national interest. That stance has drawn sharp rebukes from US President Donald Trump, and critics at home who argue he's wobbling under pressure.

But behind this modern dilemma is a long shadow, the legacy of Tony Blair and the Iraq War, whose legal and strategic controversies still shape how Labour approaches military intervention.

So today, we're asking, is Starmer's stance in Iran defined by principle or just by a fear of repeating the mistakes of Blairism

Joining Ciara to discuss this is Glen O’Hara - Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Oxford Brookes University and author of New Labour, New Britain?: How the Blair Governments Reshaped the Country

The farmer told of feeling “like a criminal” as officers searched his home and retrieved the €50 bicycle, leaving him stressed and traumatised. The detective was eventually cleared of all charges, but the saga didn’t end there. Now, the State has agreed to a confidential High Court settlement worth around €275,000. A judicial review over sick pay remains ongoing.

Journalist and author Paul Williams, whose latest book is Crooks 2: More Stories Behind the Headlines, joins Ciara Doherty to trace the full story behind “Bikegate,” from the spring of 2020 to today’s settlement, exploring the lessons — and lingering questions — about compassion, discretion, and disciplinary systems inside An Garda Síochána.

What was supposed to be a closed-door hearing quickly turned combative. A photo from inside the room was leaked online. Lawmakers veered into questions about conspiracy theories like “Pizzagate.” Republicans pressed both Clintons about Bill’s documented flights on Epstein’s private jet in the early 2000s. Hillary repeatedly distanced herself from Epstein and redirected questions toward her husband. 

Bill Clinton has acknowledged taking several trips on Epstein’s plane in 2002 and 2003 but has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity. Hillary Clinton has long insisted she had no relationship with Epstein. 

So, what do these tapes tell us? Former RTÉ Washington Correspondent and University of Galway journalism lecturer Carole Coleman joins Ciara Doherty to assess what’s new, what’s theatre, and where the Epstein investigation goes next. 

Critics warn it could drive experienced defence lawyers out of the system and risks cutting corners on justice. Recent figures showing 31 lawyers earning over half a million euros each from legal aid have only intensified the debate. Meanwhile, Aontú’s Paul Lawless argues that repeat offenders on social welfare should contribute towards their defence costs. 

So, is reform overdue — or a threat to basic rights? 

Ciara Doherty is joined on the podcast today by defence solicitor Frank Buttimer and Mayo TD Paul Lawless. 

In this bonus edition of Newstalk Daily UCD’s Dr Edward Burke tells Ciara Doherty we are facing the most dangerous regional moment in decades. Edward says the fallout from the US–Israeli strikes on Iran could mean a heightened terrorism threat in Europe, soaring energy costs and even the risk of a global recession. He describes Trump’s America as being on an “interventionist high” — acting in ways that are “chaotic and capricious.” 

Is this a short, brutal escalation — or the start of a wider regional war with global consequences?

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty asks whether the traditional Irish college experience has been quietly reshaped — or hollowed out — by Covid disruption, soaring rents, long commutes, and the cost-of-living crisis. 

Ciara is joined by Trinity College Dublin student and Irish Examiner columnist Jane Cowan, and by Dr Mary McAuliffe of UCD, to explore what’s changed, what’s been lost, and whether policymakers truly understand modern student life. 

If you’re a student — or the parent of one — we’d love to hear about your experience. Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com or get in touch with Ciara on Instagram @officialciarad. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, author of JFK in Ireland: Four Days That Changed a President, to explore why America’s most famous political family continues to grip audiences in 2026. 

The conversation begins with Love Story, the new Disney+ drama from Ryan Murphy charting the romance and tragic deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Tubridy gives his verdict — calling the series “truly awful” — and reflects on whether glossy retellings risk turning real loss into aesthetic spectacle. 

From the 1963 visit of John F. Kennedy to Ireland to the carefully constructed myth of “Camelot”, the episode examines how glamour and grief fused into political legend. Why did Kennedy resonate so powerfully in Ireland? And does that affection still endure? 

At heart, this is a conversation about image and inheritance, about beauty, youth, and narrative power, and about how a democratic republic continues to produce something that looks remarkably like royalty. 

Love Story is streaming now on Disney+. 

To get in touch with the show, email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

With influencers like “Clavicular” drawing huge audiences, concerns are growing about body image pressure, belief that some people are genetically superior, and misogyny embedded in the culture. 

Ciara Doherty speaks to James Bloodworth, author of Lost Boys: A Personal Journey Through the Manosphere, and Professor Debbie Ging, expert in digital media and gender at DCU.

On today’s podcast, investigative journalist and author Barry Cummins joins Ciara Doherty to describe what happened at Castleruddery Upper, explain what Gardaí believe may be buried there, and outline how this latest search connected to long-standing theories about potential links between the two cases. 

They discuss the history of earlier searches, the role of a “person of interest,” and why cases once thought cold can be revived decades later through persistence, new information and advances in forensic work. Most of all, this episode reflects on the families of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob who have lived through years of false dawns — and what this latest development could mean for them. 

Barry Cummins is the author of Missing: The Unsolved Cases of Ireland’s Vanished Women and Children. 

A full-scale invasion and a major land war in Europe had begun. 

It was a scenario that seemed unimaginable for so long. Four years later, the geopolitical landscape seems utterly changed. 

But in 2022 there were experts warning that the invasion was coming. So why didn’t the people who mattered listen? 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Shaun Walker, eastern Europe correspondent for The Guardian.  

For years, Gisèle Pelicot was unknowingly drugged by her husband and raped by dozens of men he invited into their home. When the case came to light, she refused anonymity and chose to face the trial publicly — a decision that stunned France. 

Now, with the publication of her memoir A Hymn to Life, her story returns to the spotlight. On today's podcast, journalist Roe McDermott reviews the book, and Paris-based reporter Elaine Cobbe joins Ciara Doherty to discuss the reaction in France and the wider cultural impact. 

A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot is published by The Bodley Head. The English-language audiobook is read by Emma Thompson. 

As tech giants face court battles in the United States over alleged harm to children, the Irish Government considering its options. Instead of an outright ban, Ministers want to trial a state-backed “digital wallet” to verify age online — promising protection for children without handing social media platforms any more personal data. 

But will it work? Critics warn that age verification could push users towards VPNs and expand data-sharing, while supporters argue it’s more realistic than a blanket ban that might fall foul of EU law. 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Elaine Burke of the For Tech’s Sake podcast to break down what the strategy really means, while Olga Cronin from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties weighs in on whether this digital fix could become a privacy risk. 

Is this smart child protection — or the start of age-gating the entire internet? 

Tom's substack is here: https://theroyalist.substack.com/

Bought after Charles Haughey’s first yacht was wrecked off Mizen Head, and later examined by the McCracken and Moriarty Tribunals, the vessel raised sharp questions about money, loans from businessman Dermot Desmond, and the gap between public austerity and private luxury which included a private island, Inishvickillane, Charvet shirts, and summer voyages to Brittany with Terry Keane. 

Then came an unexpected second act. After Haughey’s death, Celtic Mist was donated to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, circumnavigating Ireland, logging more than 100,000 kilometres of research and even heading for Arctic waters in search of humpbacks. It will retire from service later this year. 

From tribunal exhibit to conservation vessel, Celtic Mist charts a course through scandal, spectacle, and reinvention. Newstalk’s Aisling Moloney joins Ciara Doherty to tell the story. 

The comparison many are making is with Russia. In 2022, Russia was suspended from international football after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — but only after Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic refused to play them. No such coordinated boycott has happened in Israel’s case. So, is this a double standard? Or are these fundamentally different situations? 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Financial Times writer and author Simon Kuper, one of the leading voices on the intersection of sport and politics. He has explored these themes in books such as World Cup Fever, Football Against the Enemy and the bestselling Soccernomics. 

What would a boycott actually achieve? Would it change anything — or simply punish Ireland? And what does this moment reveal about how global football is really governed? 

You can share your thoughts with the team at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Last week, the Defamation (Amendment) Bill passed through the Oireachtas, bringing the biggest changes to Irish libel law in years. No more juries in High Court defamation cases. New protections for journalists. New powers aimed at stopping so-called SLAPPs — lawsuits designed to intimidate and silence critics. And crucially, courts will now have clearer authority to order the identification of anonymous online posters — meaning the era of the untouchable “keyboard warrior” may be coming to an end. 

Why does this matter? Because Ireland has long punched above its weight in defamation claims. Despite being a fraction of the size of England and Wales, we’ve historically handled a similar number of libel cases each year. Big jury awards — like the €1.87 million originally awarded to Monica Leech — created a reputation for unpredictability and eye-watering damages. 

High-profile rows have kept the issue in the spotlight, from celebrity disputes involving Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, to battles involving Elon Musk’s company X, to cases closer to home involving Louis Walsh and Enoch Burke. Critics said the system created a “chilling effect” on journalism. Others argued that if your reputation is destroyed, you deserve serious redress. 

So, will this finally end Ireland’s reputation as a go-to venue for libel actions? 

On today’s podcast, Newstalk’s courts correspondent Frank Greaney explains what’s changed and why reform took so long. Later, media law expert Olivia O’Kane from Lewis Silken joins Ciara Doherty to look at what this means for journalists, social media users and anyone concerned about their good name. 

You can email your thoughts to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

The aim? To establish a local branch of the multi-million-dollar organisation on this island. The group has already launched a UK branch. Now, with reported encouragement from former DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr, discussions around a Northern Ireland chapter appear to be gathering pace. 

But what does Turning Point stand for? How influential is it within today’s Republican Party? And what happens when a highly organised, well-funded American political network attempts to embed itself in a vastly different political culture? 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to journalist and author Peter Geoghegan, whose work examines how money and influence shape modern democracies. Is this simply student activism — or something much more strategic? And in a region with its own complex political history and strong evangelical traditions, what might Turning Point NI mean for the future of political organising here? 

Follow Ciara on Instagram @officialciarad. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to bestselling Irish author Carmel Harrington about her 14th novel, The Nowhere Girls. The story follows Vega, an investigative journalist determined to uncover the truth about her own past after discovering she was one of two children abandoned on a Dublin train platform in 1995. Her journey stretches from 1990s Dublin to the countercultural communes of Vermont in the 1960s, and on to an Irish commune in the wilds of Connemara. 

While researching the book, Carmel came across the story of the Screamers. Drawing on archive documentaries and first-hand accounts, she reflects on the blurred line between communal living and coercive control — and why children born into such environments often carry the deepest consequences. 

The Nowhere Girls is published by Headline. 

Step inside Carmel Harrington’s world — explore her novels, latest releases and the story behind the stories on her official website: 

👉 Visit Carmel Harrington’s website: http://carmelharrington.com/ 

There, you’ll find everything from book details to news and events, straight from the source. 

So, what exactly is Stripe? If you’ve ever paid for something online — from shopping to subscriptions to gig work — there’s a strong chance Stripe powered the transaction behind the scenes. Founded by Patrick and John Collison from Co Tipperary, the company set out to make online payments radically simple for developers. That simplicity turned into a global payments infrastructure business operating in more than 100 markets, with dual headquarters in Dublin and San Francisco. 

In this episode, Ciara Doherty is joined by Charlie Taylor, Technology and Innovation Editor at the Business Post, to explore the extraordinary story of how two teenage coders built a fintech giant 

At the heart of it all is Larry Murrin, Bord Bia chair and CEO of Dawn Farms, and the revelation that a small share of the company’s beef is sourced from Brazil. Supporters say it’s a standard global supply chain practice. Critics say it shreds the credibility of Ireland’s food brand. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Francess McDonnell of Agriland, who has been tracking the controversy from the start and has spoken directly to Murrin, and by Thomas Hubert, editor of The Currency, on the politics, the pressure on government, and what this row tells us about power, trust and fault lines in Irish agriculture. 

🌍 The backstory behind the beef fight 

 Brazilian beef, EU trade rules, and the Mercosur deal didn’t come out of nowhere. In our recent explainer, we looked at how a Brussels trade agreement became a lightning rod for farmers — and why it still looms over today’s Bord Bia crisis. 

🎧 Listen back here: https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/newstalk-daily/beef-business-and-a-brussels-bust-up 

Seamus says he never signed deportation papers; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – the notorious ICE – claims otherwise; a judge agrees. Seamus remains trapped between two parts of the same system — one processing his green card, the other trying to remove him. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to his sister, Caroline Culleton, about the emotional and physical toll this ordeal has taken on Seamus and the family. The story highlights broader concerns over rising deportations of Irish citizens in the US and the human impact behind the statistics. If you or someone you know has faced similar challenges, we’d like to hear from you. 

Email the Newstalk Daily team anytime at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Complicating matters further, newly released documents have revealed links between the Princess and convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, drawing intense public scrutiny. While these are separate issues, they combine to create the most serious crisis the monarchy has faced in generations. 

From the dynamics of the courtroom to the wider implications for the royal family, Newstalk Daily explores how Norway is responding to scandal, legal drama, and questions of public trust. Journalist Lars Bevanger joins Ciara Doherty from Tromsø to break down the trial, the Epstein files, and what it all means for the monarchy’s future. 

Six days later, his body was found in a storm drain. A post-mortem examination concluded that Noah had drowned. A police investigation was launched, but no criminal charges have ever followed. 

In recent weeks, a long-delayed inquest has heard evidence into the circumstances surrounding Noah’s disappearance and death. Jurors have listened to the original 999 call made by Noah’s mother, Fiona. Friends have discussed his intelligent, quirky personality; witnesses have given evidence about their recollections of that day; and police officers involved in the original investigation have begun outlining their actions and decisions. 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Declan Harvey, who has been covering the inquest for BBC Northern Ireland and through a dedicated daily podcast, to explain what the jury has heard so far and what evidence is still to come. 

📺 Follow the inquest: BBC ‘State of Us’ series 

Declan Harvey reports for BBC Northern Ireland as part of the State of Us series, with regular updates from the inquest. 

👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL38qrXdJ0lkN8zTvJ2p4IR-Ykv3bYgwgP 

Allegations that Mandelson shared sensitive information, lobbied on Epstein’s behalf, and accepted financial support connected to Epstein have triggered fierce scrutiny. UK prime minister Keir Starmer has referred elements of the case to British police, while honours and privileges linked to Mandelson are being withdrawn, amid growing pressure that this is not just about judgment but accountability. 

With Epstein’s victims never far from the public mind, questions of power, access and moral blind spots are unavoidable. Guardian policy editor Kiran Stacey joins Ciara Doherty to examine why this scandal has cut deeper than the rest — and whether the ultimate survivor of British politics has finally run out of road. 

The Triple Lock currently requires Government approval, a Dáil vote, and a UN mandate before Irish troops can be deployed overseas. Ministers argue the UN Security Council is increasingly paralysed, making the system unworkable in a world of rising global tensions. Critics say removing the UN element would quietly weaken neutrality and lower the threshold for overseas military involvement. 

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by John O’Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University, and Niamh Ní Bhriain from the Transnational Institute. They debate whether this is a technical reform or a fundamental shift in Ireland’s foreign and defence policy. 

Have your say by emailing newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

And it’s in the news again with Gardai confirming that they now believe the couple in question never left the country despite numerous reported sightings abroad.

So what really happened to Conor and Sheila Dwyer?

And what, if anything, has a renewed investigation uncovered?

Ciara is joined by Southern correspondent with the Irish Independent, Ralph Riegel

But your ancestors would have known it as Imbolc.

And in celtic countries like Ireland and Scotland there are some who still celebrate it as such. 

So what is Imbolc and what has it got to do with St. Brigid?

Ciara is joined by Kelly Fitzgerald from the School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore in UCD

 Suddenly there was this strange and raw sound. Angry looking young people were screaming about their dissatisfaction as to the state of their lot in life and the stale and seemingly hopeless future they had been handed by the establishment. 

 There were leather jackets, mohawks, safety pins and a whole lot more.  

 Punk had been born. 

 But a half a century on, what is its legacy? 

Tara Duggan is joined by “Professor of Punk”, Cultural Sociologist, Creative Writer and Experimental Musician at University Limerick, Eoin Devereux 

Dublin City Council saw the writing on the wall and removed their account. 

Will others see the logic in their thinking? 

Are politicians staying on X because they need it, or because they were told to use it? 

 And if X is no longer fit for democratic discourse, what — if anything — should replace it? 

Tara Duggan is joined by Clare O’Donoghue Velikić, Director of ODV Digital, and Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond,  

 But it’s not a new idea.  

 Ireland tried a wealth tax before — and — promptly — dropped it. 

 But times have changed, so the question returns: could a wealth tax work this time? And would it actually change anything? 

Eamonn Torsney is joined by Jim Clarken, CEO of Oxfam Ireland and Dr. Emmett Oliver, from Trinity Business school

 For many Jewish people, including those here in Ireland, there’s a growing fear of being forced into this binary: that remembering the Holocaust somehow means endorsing the actions of the Israeli state — or that criticising Israel erases Jewish trauma. 

 On Holocaust Commemoration Day, remembering history has become harder and more emotionally charged. But how has it come to this? 

To talk about that complexity, Tara Duggan is joined by Ria Czerniak-LeBov — a Jewish woman living in Ireland, the granddaughter of a Holocaust escapee, and a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza

 From Bulgaria, to Bangladesh, From Nepal to Ecuador — mass political upheaval is happening across almost every continent since 2022 

So, could the west be in some very early stages, and should the power brokers start getting worried? 

To help us unpack why Gen Z has become the generation of protest, Tara Duggan is joined by Examiner Columnist Jane Cowan, who’s been following these movements closely. 

It was big news at the time but in the end the campaign of opposition was ultimately unsuccessful and the project was completed in 1994.

Now, after just over four decades using the site as its headquarters, DCC have made an announcement that threatens to ignite some of these old tensions. 

So why was the site such a bone of contention to begin with and why does it threaten to be so again?

Tara Duggan is joined by Dr. Pat Wallace who was the Director of the archaeological excavations at Wood Quay and later of the National Museum of Ireland.

January 2016 set a grim record for the number of migrants dying while attempting to cross the Mediterranean after more than 1.2 million people came to Europe seeking protection in the previous 12 months.

As recently as December European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen was claiming a measure of success on this issue when she said that Europe is now “managing migration responsibly”. 

But what does a responsible migration policy look like and what impact do the events of 2015 and 2016 have on the Europe of today?

Tara Duggan is joined by journalist Valerie Cox who volunteered on the Greek islands at the height of the crisis, Host of the “Fortress Europe” Podcast Andrew Connolly & Spokesperson for Frontex, Chris Borowski

But is this simply a family dispute, amplified by the glare of celebrity? 

Or does it point to something more familiar — the kind of toxicity often associated with fame, power, and image? 

Away from the celebrity of this story, we want to focus on the impact on the people involved. 

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham took to Instagram this week to air his grievances about his upbringing — going as far as to say he does not want to reconcile with his parents. 

What stands out isn’t the fame, but the language he uses: control, anxiety, and a sense of relief after stepping away 

It’s language that suggests reflection and self-examination — and possibly some therapy speak — not simply a public rebellion 

He describes growing up in an environment where image mattered and where boundaries were blurred, if not obscured  

He also talks about the freedom he feels since he distanced himself from his parents. 

Beyond the headlines what happens to a person who grows up without privacy, and with expectations placed on them before they’ve fully formed an identity? 

And more broadly, when someone walks away from their family to protect their mental health, how should we understand that decision? 

To explore that, Tara is joined by Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly

The kidnapping of the leader of another sovereign nation, threats to annex the territory of a fellow Nato member, an outspoken defence of the killing of a US citizen by a federal agent and that’s just this month. 

These sorts of actions have been labelled “unprecedented” by many but is the Trump Presidency something new or indicative of a side of America that we in Europe have failed to notice but which has always been there?

Broadcaster Edward Stourton is the author of a new book called Made in America: the Dark History that Led to Donald Trump, in which he puts forward the argument that far from being a modern anomaly, much of the policy of the current administration is just a continuation of broad historical patterns in American history.

On today’s podcast, Shane Beatty takes a close look at psychotherapy in Ireland: what it actually involves, how people become psychotherapists, and why new standards proposed by the health and social care regulator, Corú, have sparked concern across the profession. 

Corú says its proposed framework is designed to protect the public, setting minimum education and training requirements, and introducing statutory regulation for the first time. But leading professional bodies warn that key safeguards are being weakened — including clinical training hours and the long-standing requirement for trainee therapists to undergo personal therapy themselves. 

To explore what’s at stake, Shane is joined by psychotherapists Belinda Moller, chair of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy, and Mary Cullen. They explain how psychotherapy works, what clients should look for when choosing a therapist, and why many practitioners believe the proposed standards could have unintended consequences. 

You’ll also hear from Corú’s Claire O’Cleary, responding to those concerns and outlining the regulator’s thinking behind the new proposals. And as the debate intensifies, we ask: who ultimately decides how psychotherapy is regulated in Ireland — and does the Minister for Health need to step in? 

You can hear Claire O’Leary’s full interview on Alive and Kicking here: 

🔗 https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/coru-on-regulating-the-psychothe-ZGQ4N2ViYmI2NmE1ZmFhMDgxNTdiYzA0MDYxZTA1ODM= 

By all accounts it’s been a great tournament on the pitch but the biggest story, and indeed the most iconic image from the tournament has been provided not by one of the players but by Democratic Republic of Congo fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga.

Sport and politics rarely make for comfortable bedfellows but could this be a sign of things to come at this summer’s FIFA World Cup?

Off The Ball's David Wilson joins Shane Beatty to discuss

Today on Newstalk Daily, Shane Beatty asks why Dublin remains the odd one out, while cities around the world hand executive power to mayors who shape housing, transport, and climate policy. 

Professor Ricky Burdett from the London School of Economics joins the podcast to explain why mayors have become such influential political figures in recent years, not because cities are growing faster in Europe, but because urban areas now sit on the frontline of challenges like inequality, climate change, and migration. He also outlines how much power mayors actually hold in cities like London, Paris, and New York — and why Dublin’s largely ceremonial model stands apart. 

Green Party chair and Dublin city councillor Janet Horner makes the case for giving Dubliners a direct say over who leads their city, arguing that a directly-elected mayor could bring clearer accountability, stronger leadership, and better coordination across things like transport. She also addresses concerns about populism, central government resistance and whether Ireland really needs another powerful political office. 

So, what happens when you try to put a price on a place that isn’t a company or an asset, but a society? Greenland has a tiny population, a narrow economy built almost entirely on fishing, vast mineral potential that’s mostly locked under ice, and a half-billion-euro annual subsidy from Denmark that keeps the state running. Add in strategic military value, Arctic shipping routes, Indigenous rights, international law and political consent, and the calculator starts to melt. 

On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe joins Shane Beatty for a deliberately imperfect thought experiment: adding up the numbers as the conversation unfolds, not because anyone thinks Greenland is actually for sale, but because the exercise exposes how flimsy the idea really is. From trillion-dollar mineral estimates to six-billion-dollar cheques, and from Cold War baselines to modern Arctic geopolitics, this is a story about money, power — and the things that refuse to be priced. 

Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie also reports from Nuuk on how Greenlanders themselves feel about being talked about as a strategic acquisition. 

But beyond the headlines and highlight clips, today’s podcast asks a bigger question: what do awards ceremonies actually mean in 2026? Do they still shape careers? Or have they become glossy, self-referential spectacles designed mainly to generate social media moments? 

Shane Beatty is joined by Screen Time’s John Fardy, who’s spent years on red carpets and inside awards bubbles, to take the temperature of an industry that still loves a trophy. Journalist and critic Zara Hedderman weighs in on whether ceremonies like the Golden Globes, Oscars and Grammys still help people discover great work — or simply confirm what’s already popular and well-funded. 

The conversation ranges from studio influence and campaign culture to the growing power of algorithms, streaming platforms, and online buzz. They discuss why younger audiences know the awards but rarely watch the shows, whether fan-voted prizes fix or worsen credibility problems, and why controversial wins or snubs can sometimes overshadow the art itself. 

There’s also a look at politics on the awards stage, including Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar speech for The Zone of Interest, and whether moments like that prove there’s still integrity — and impact — left in the spectacle. 

As members of the Palestine Action group continue a hunger strike in British prisons, with serious concerns about their health, Newstalk Daily looks at what refusal to eat is meant to achieve, and the human cost that comes with it. 

Shane Beatty is joined on the podcast by Laurence McKeown, who spent 16 years in prison as a young man and went 70 days without food during the 1981 Maze Prison hunger strike. He came close to death, fell into a coma, and survived only after his mother intervened. 

Laurence reflects on the physical and psychological toll of hunger striking, the emotional impact on families, and the moment when protest collides with survival. He also discusses whether hunger strikes can ever truly force political changes. 

Now an author, playwright and academic, Laurence draws on decades of reflection to explore why hunger strikes persist as a form of protest, how they shape political understanding, and what lessons — and warnings — they offer to activists today. 

Laurence McKeown’s memoir is And Flowers Grew Up Through the Concrete: A Prison Memoir, 1981–1992. 

But quietly beavering away in the background was Micheál Martin as he pressed the flesh in Beijing. 

The trip came off the back of an internal study by the Department of Foreign Affairs into the Government’s diplomatic soft power and included a notable non-answer to a question on the events in Venezuela from the Taoiseach.

So just how much is achieved by these visits? To what degree is the off camera dialogue reflected by the on the record rhetoric? 

And does Ireland’s soft power pack much of a punch internationally?

Today on the podcast, Shane Beatty speaks with former Irish Ambassador to France, Rory Montgomery about diplomacy, soft power and what really goes on behind the scenes on these state  visits.

As EU ambassadors prepare to move on the EU–Mercosur agreement, farmers are warning it could flood the market with cheaper meat – especially beef and poultry from Brazil – and undermine rural livelihoods. A major protest is planned in Athlone this weekend, with farming groups urging the government to stand firm. 

But Irish business sees a very different picture, arguing the deal could open doors for exporters and protect Ireland’s place in a volatile global economy. 

Today on the podcast, Shane Beatty hears both sides of the argument. First, Agriland editor Stella Meehan explains why farmers are so deeply opposed. Then, Chambers Ireland CEO Ian Talbot makes the case for why business wants the deal done. 

And along the way, we ask a question many listeners are quietly thinking about: could more competition actually help hard-pressed shoppers? 

A trade deal, a political headache — and a country divided. 

English teacher Conor Murphy joins Shane Beatty on the podcast to argue that while Shakespeare’s brilliance is not in doubt, his privileged position in the curriculum is. Conor suggests that making Shakespeare mandatory crowds out other voices — including Irish writers and dramatists — and reinforces the idea that English literature has a fixed centre with the Bard permanently at its core. 

They discuss whether students are engaging meaningfully with Shakespeare or simply learning how to “pass” him for exams, whether plays are being taught in the wrong way, and how much space is left for writers like James Joyce, John McGahern, Marina Carr, or Doireann Ní Ghríofa. With curriculum reform on the horizon, the conversation asks whether it’s finally time to rebalance what — and who — we value in Irish classrooms. 

Hamnet opens in Irish cinemas this Friday. If you go to see the film, we’d love to hear your reviews! Send us an email to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

On today’s Newstalk Daily, we look back at what the Jubilee was meant to achieve — and whether it worked. From the million-strong Jubilee of Youth in Rome to the quieter reality of declining Mass attendance at home, what does success look like for the modern Church? 

We also examine the early signals from Pope Leo XVI: a calm, methodical leader described as a “centrist dad Pope,” favouring order and tradition over disruption, and taking a cautious approach to reform. 

Joining Shane Beatty on the podcast is Michael Kelly, Director of Public Affairs at Aid To The Church In Need and author of a recent biography of Pope Leo, on where the Church stands as 2026 begins — in Ireland and across the world. 

You can find out more about the work of Aid To The Church In Need Ireland here: 
👉 https://www.acnireland.org/ 

Humanitarian organisations, including Doctors Without Borders, have been suspended from operating in Gaza under new Israeli registration rules, while reconstruction remains blocked and civilians are being killed near expanding control lines. At the same time, new Israeli settlements have been approved in the occupied West Bank, raising further questions about whether the ceasefire is stabilising the region or quietly storing up the conditions for more violence. 

Professor Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics argues that what now exists is not a ceasefire at all, but a region-wide low-intensity war. He joins Shane Beatty on the podcast to assess whether the current arrangement was ever designed to hold, how credible the US role as mediator really is, and why the risk of renewed conflict between Israel and Iran in 2026 may be higher than many are willing to acknowledge. 

Is this a genuine pause on the road to peace, or simply a different phase of the same conflict? 

On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe is joined by Dr Sandra Scanlon, lecturer in American history at University College Dublin, to ask what the American Revolution was really about — and why its legacy is proving so contested 250 years on. 

They discuss the Declaration of Independence, mythmaking around 1776, how anniversaries shape national identity, the challenge of commemoration, and whether it’s possible to celebrate the founding of the United States while confronting slavery, exclusion, and inequality. 

They also explore Donald Trump’s policing of “patriotic history,” the fallout from statue debates and Black Lives Matter, and what a genuinely successful 250th anniversary might look like. 

They talk about how pubs are responding to shifting drinking and socialising habits, the experience of women in pubs for much of the twentieth century, and (Tara’s personal bugbear) the awkward placing of ladies’ toilets.  

📘 Further reading 
The Dublin Pub: A Social and Cultural History by Donal Fallon is published by New Island Books 
👉 https://www.newisland.ie/product/the-dublin-pub/ 

From Wren Boys and folk traditions to politics, literature and community life, Donal explains how pubs became Ireland’s great meeting places — and what disappears when they close. 

📘 Donal Fallon’s book 
The Dublin Pub: A Social and Cultural History by Donal Fallon is published by New Island Books — and explores the pub as a social, political and cultural space in Irish life. 
👉 https://www.newisland.ie/product/the-dublin-pub/ 

🎙️ Donal Fallon’s podcast 
Three Castles Burning dives into Dublin’s hidden histories — from streets and pubs to politics and protest. 
👉 https://threecastlesburning.libsyn.com/ 

Beatty talks first to journalist Jennifer McShane, who has written about time alone at Christmas can be underrated, even joyful. She reflects on the difference between being alone and feeling lonely, the pressure to “perform” Christmas, and why opting out can sometimes be an act of rest rather than rejection.

Then, Shane is joined by Dr Joanna McHugh Power from the Department of Psychology at Maynooth University. She offers gentle, practical advice for anyone who didn’t expect to be alone today and may be finding it difficult — from creating simple structures, to managing social media, to finding connection without overwhelm.

Wherever you are today, and however you’re feeling, you’re very welcome here.

🕯️ ALONE
 Support and companionship for older people experiencing loneliness, including over Christmas.
 https://alone.ie
 Helpline: 0818 222 024

📞 Samaritans Ireland
 A listening ear, day or night — you don’t need to be in crisis to get in touch.
 https://www.samaritans.org/ireland
 Freephone: 116 123

💙 Aware
 Support and information for people affected by depression, anxiety, and low mood.
 https://www.aware.ie
 Support line: 1800 80 48 48

The “Bailout Babies” are the generation born into the boom and shaped by the bust. They never benefited from the good times, but they’ve lived with the consequences ever since, in housing, work, relationships, politics, and mental health. And in 2025, it feels like something has shifted.

From CMAT’s Euro-Country to Kneecap’s cultural breakout, from housing protests to emigration, this generation suddenly seems to be everywhere — angrier, funnier, more creative, and more politically engaged than before.

On this Christmas Eve podcast, Sean Defoe is joined by journalist Adam Maguire, author of The Bailout Babies, to ask who this generation really is, and why this year feels like their coming-of-age moment.

They talk about growing up during the crash, the long shadow of austerity, the housing crisis as a barrier to adulthood, and how living in box rooms into your thirties reshapes dating, work, and family life. They also explore why inheritance has quietly become a housing plan.

Adam Maguire’s The Bailout Babies is published by Gill Books.

The reviews were ferocious. The tone was personal. And the backlash felt wildly disproportionate to the crime — if there even was one. On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe looks at why certain public figures become lightning rods for outrage, and why Meghan Markle continues to provoke such an emotional reaction.

He’s joined by journalist and writer Mary McCarthy, whose crime was watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration on Netflix — and actually enjoying it. Together, they talk about snobbery, misogyny, racism, and the strange expectations placed on women in the public eye. From British tabloids to social media dogpiles, from lifestyle branding to Christmas escapism, this is a conversation about who we choose to hate — and why.

With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration is streaming now on Netflix.

Irish restaurants grew more confident, more creative, and far more ambitious. Today, Ireland is home to dozens of Michelin-listed restaurants, an internationally respected dining scene, and a generation of chefs who take Irish ingredients — and Irish food culture — seriously. So, when did Irish restaurants actually get good? 

On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe is joined at the restaurant table by chef, food historian, and TU Dublin lecturer Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire. From Ballymaloe to modern neighbourhood bistros, from Michelin stars to vegetable-led menus, Máirtín traces the long evolution of Irish dining — and explains why this was less a sudden revolution than a slow, cultural shift in how Ireland eats, cooks, and thinks about food. 

They talk about the role of foreign travel and chef training abroad, how Michelin fits into the story, and whether Ireland’s current golden age of restaurants is sustainable amid rising costs and staff shortages. 

📘 Book recommendation 

Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire is the co-editor of Irish Food History: A Companion, published by the Royal Irish Academy — an award-winning deep dive into how Ireland eats, cooked, and understood food across centuries. A serious contender for the foodie Christmas list. 

📩 Get in touch 

Have thoughts, memories, or strong opinions about Irish restaurants past and present? You can email the podcast at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.  

Born out of revolt against Fianna Fáil’s culture and economics, the PDs injected ideology into a system long defined by civil war loyalties rather than left-right debate. Pro-market, socially liberal, and unapologetic about the limits of the State, they punched far above their electoral weight for more than two decades.

Today, Irish politics is more fragmented than ever, but it is also strikingly pro-spending and pro-State across almost every major party. So, is there now a gap where the PDs once stood? Is there room — electorally and culturally — for a low-tax, small-state party in modern Ireland?

On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe is joined by Professor Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University and biographer of Charles Haughey, to reflect on the PDs’ origins, influence, controversies, and their lasting legacy.

Each time it happens, the same questions return. Why does this violence keep recurring? Is it random? And crucially, does gun control make a difference? 

On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe is joined by two leading experts to examine what the evidence really tells us. Professor Peter Squires, criminologist and public policy expert at the University of Brighton, explains what international data from countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada show about gun laws, and why access to firearms consistently shapes outcomes. Meanwhile, Professor Orla Muldoon of the University of Limerick explores the psychology behind mass shootings, the well-documented risks of imitation, and the role media coverage can play in amplifying or reducing harm. 

While Europe has largely avoided the scale of gun violence seen elsewhere, Orla warns that complacency is dangerous. Ireland is not gun-free — there are seven guns for every one hundred people — and no society is immune if warning signs are ignored. Patterns around age, gender, access to weapons and social conditions matter, as does how these attacks are reported in the days that follow. 

Have thoughts on the conversation? You can email the show at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Today on the podcast, we look past the noise and ask what the signs point to next year. Will Irish house prices still be rising in 2026? Have mortgage rates hit the bottom of the cycle? And does biding your time, waiting for an economic crash to bag a bargain, make sense in this version of the housing market? 

Sean Defoe is joined by Michael Dowling, senior mortgage adviser with Irish Mortgage Brokers, to cut through the headlines and explain what buyers should really be watching — and why timing the market perfectly may matter less than people think. 

Gavin was meant to be a safe choice. A proven winner. A figure above party politics. Instead, a controversy dating back to 2009 detonated his campaign almost overnight, forcing a humiliating withdrawal and leaving Fianna Fáil badly bruised. 

Now, as leaks swirl about when decisions were made, who knew what — and how much money was spent — the big question is where responsibility will land. TDs and Senators are still furious over the sidelining of Cork MEP Billy Kelleher, the secrecy around Gavin’s recruitment, and the role played by Micheál Martin and Jack Chambers in pushing the candidacy through. 

With around €400,000 reportedly poured into a campaign that barely got off the ground, party members want answers — and some are wondering whether this is merely a face-saving exercise or a genuine reckoning. 

On today’s podcast Sean Defoe is joined by Shane Coleman from Newstalk Breakfast to dig into what the review is likely to say, whether Micheál Martin’s leadership is really under threat, and whether this fiasco changes anything at all for Fianna Fáil. 

From Liz Truss launching a baffling YouTube show aimed squarely at the American right, to UK Greens embracing what critics call “cosy left-wing populism,” politics has fully entered its influencer era. Long-form, first-person digital media is no longer a side hustle — it’s central to how power is won, lost, and rehabilitated. And Ireland is part of this shift too. 

During the presidential campaign, Catherine Connolly quietly dominated the under-35 vote by appearing on podcasts like Blindboy, Louise McSharry and How to Gael, while rivals stuck largely to traditional interviews. The result raised an awkward question for Irish politics: are podcasts now just as important as radio, TV, and print? 

On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe is joined by writer and broadcaster Paddy Duffy to explore this increasingly strange corner of political life. Why do some politicians thrive online while others look painfully out of place? Why do so many still speak to the internet like it’s a press release? And is there a future where Irish TDs host their own successful podcasts — or would listeners revolt? 

As ever, we’d love to hear from you. You can email us at 📧 newstalkdaily@newstalk.com  

Prices, choice, cinemas, wages, competition… everything is suddenly up for grabs. Are we heading for a world where three giant companies decide what gets made and what we’re allowed to watch? And does the ordinary viewer even care, as long as The Sopranos streams in 4K? 

On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe is joined by For Tech’s Sake co-host Elaine Burke to make sense of the battle for Warner Bros, Trump’s looming “involvement,” and why this might be the moment the entire streaming era pivots. 

Email your thoughts 📩 newstalkdaily@newstalk.com and follow For Tech’s Sake wherever you get your podcasts. 

It wasn’t always like this. Ireland once built boldly. Ardnacrusha powered the country. The Luas, announced on this day 30 years ago, transformed Dublin. Temple Bar was regenerated with imagination and speed. Across Europe, countries our size continue to build metros, housing and civic spaces at a pace that makes us look frozen in place. 

So, what happened? And more importantly — how do we get unstuck? 

On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe is joined by Maeve Jennings, founder of Harcourt Investments, one of the key figures behind the early Temple Bar regeneration and now a senior player in major infrastructure projects in France. From Paris, she explains why Ireland’s problem isn’t talent but structure, why we struggle to assemble land, how special delivery companies changed cities abroad, and what Ireland must do if it ever wants to build a metro, a hospital or even a new neighbourhood without a decade of delay. 

If you’ve thoughts on this, drop us an email: ✉️ newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Meanwhile, Dublin’s Liberties are having a moment — and not just because of their famous markets, traders, and characters. A new push to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status has reopened an old argument about who tells the story of the city, and what gets protected as Dublin grows and gentrifies. 

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Sean Defoe sits down with Dublin South Central Historian-in-Residence Cathy Scuffil — a walking encyclopedia of Dublin 8 — to discuss the real history behind the Liberties, including how tariffs helped define the community, why “Engine Alley” isn’t about engines, and the local origins of the term “tenterhooks.” 

From Viking settlers to Huguenot weavers, Jewish communities to British imperial markers, Dublin’s map is a storybook. So, what happens when a modern city tries to rewrite some of its own chapters? 

And no matter how much we pretend otherwise, the festive sluggishness we blame on Christmas Day actually comes from everything wrapped around it. The office sweets. Late-night snacks. The “take the edge off” drinks. The meals we inhale without even noticing. 

On today’s podcast, we’re asking a simple question: can you enjoy Christmas properly… and still feel good in January? 

Tara Duggan is joined by Registered Dietitian and Physiologist Orla Walsh, who brings hard science to the trendiest December habits — intermittent fasting, crash dieting, festive drinking, movement, sleep, and the myth that you can “fast your way out” of the season’s excess. Orla also offers a range of tips for enjoying the festive season in a balanced, sustainable way. 

🌐 Orla Walsh Nutrition:
https://orlawalshnutrition.ie/

On today’s podcast, Dr Kieran Murray lays out the latest data from his study on gambling within the GAA — including players describing addiction as a “curse” gripping young men across teams and counties. And Armagh football legend Oisín McConville joins Tara Duggan with a searingly honest account of how gambling hollowed out his life at the height of his career: the debts, the panic, the sleepless nights, and the day he lost €20,000. 

If you’re worried about your own gambling or someone close to you, support links are included below. 

📌 Support and Information: GamblingCare.ie 
🔗 https://gamblingcare.ie/ 

📌 Gamblers Anonymous Meetings & Help: GamblersAnonymous.ie 
🔗 https://www.gamblersanonymous.ie/ 

So, are we protecting fairness… or quietly eroding it? And in a world of delays, intimidation, huge legal bills and unpredictable outcomes — is trial by jury still the gold standard? 

Barrister and Fifth Court co-host Peter Leonard joins Tara Duggan to test whether one of our oldest rights is becoming one of our biggest myths. 

📧 For views, rants or jury-box confessions, email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

🎙️ And tune in to The Fifth Court here: www.thefifthcourt.com 

On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan plunges into Ireland’s fast-moving psychedelic conversation. Writer Suzanne Harrington shares her candid experience microdosing magic mushrooms and explains why so many middle-aged women — not tech bros — are quietly experimenting with these substances. 

We also hear from therapist and author Ciara Sherlock, whose book The Spirit of the Liberty Cap champions Ireland’s own naturally growing psychoactive mushrooms. 

But psychiatrist Professor Brendan Kelly brings the caution. He reminds us that psychedelics remain illegal in Ireland, that the evidence for microdosing is still weak, and that “bad trips” and long-term complications are real. He walks us through the science, the risks, the early-stage clinical trials, and why some celebrity stories should be taken with a large pinch of scepticism. 

Are psychedelics the future of mental health — or a step too far? Tara digs into it all. 

📩 Got thoughts on this episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan asks if Ireland is truly offering value, or whether high prices, seasonal closures and hotel shortages are turning visitors away. Sunday Times food critic Russell Alford, who’s had to move his own wedding date because of hotel price-gouging, joins Irish Examiner travel editor Jillian Bolger to take an honest look at the visitor experience. They explore whether our food scene is as strong as the hype, why menus outside the cities can feel stuck on repeat, whether rural Ireland can ever deliver year-round tourism, and whether we actually have enough hotel rooms to support the growth the Government is promising. 

There are big ambitions for Ireland to become one of Europe’s great “foodie destinations.” The question is whether the value, the offering — and the welcome — can match that ambition. 

⭐ Explore Jillian’s writing & travel guides 

📘✨ Website: www.jillianbolger.com 
👉 Dive into Jillian’s food writing, travel insights, and award-winning features. 

⭐ Follow Russell & Patrick — the GastroGays 

📸🍽️ Instagram: www.instagram.com/gastrogays 
👉 Food journeys, travel tips, and brilliant dishes from across Ireland and beyond. 

Zelensky’s arrival also comes as the United States pushes hard for a peace deal that critics warn tilts towards Moscow. Donald Trump appears impatient for a quick end to the conflict, with John O’Brennan telling us that the former president would prefer Zelensky to “effectively surrender” so Washington can claim credit for ending another war. He sees Russian fingerprints all over the latest blueprint. 

But despite political upheaval at home, including the resignation of a key adviser in a corruption scandal, Zelensky remains — in O’Brennan’s words — “the most formidable leader in the world over the past four years.” His visit to Ireland signals not just diplomatic courtesy, but a strategic push for European unity at a time when America’s reliability is increasingly uncertain. 

Professor John O’Brennan from Maynooth University joins Tara Duggan on Newstalk Daily to explore the real significance of this state visit, the political danger surrounding the peace talks, and Europe’s responsibility at this pivotal moment. 

✉️ We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s conversation: email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

On today’s podcast Daily, Tara Duggan asks what this retreat means — and why World AIDS Day still matters. 
 
She hears a special World AIDS Day message from Rory O’Neill — Panti Bliss — before speaking to Professor Fiona Lyons, the National Clinical Lead for the HSE Sexual Health Programme, about where Ireland stands and why this moment still matters. Later, activist Adrian Duggan joins Tara to talk about his own diagnosis at 17, the long arc of stigma, and the future of the Poz Vibes movement. 

📌 Learn more about HIV and sexual health (HSE): 
👉 https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/hiv/ 

🎙️ Explore the Poz Vibe community & podcast: 
👉 https://pozvibe.com/ 

They talk about the shock of getting elected, the culture shift inside Leinster House, and whether younger TDs are taken seriously by the old guard. Tara asks them about Dáil chamber theatrics, family commitments, and whether politics can ever allow normal social lives for people in their 20s and 30s. The conversation ranges from generational change to long-term ambitions — with a little detour through Coppers along the way. 

📩 Send your thoughts and questions to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 
 
▶️ Catch up on previous episodes of Newstalk Daily anytime on the GoLoud player or wherever you get your podcasts. 

On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan – a proud Cash Queen – dives into why the cashless “revolution” suddenly stalled. Sean Defoe, who never carries cash, breaks down the new ATM rules landing this week. Financial advisor John Lowe explains why he still backs a cashless economy. And Brett Scott, author of Cloudmoney, argues that Big Tech and Big Finance have spent years waging a quiet war on cash, because digital money means data, power, and profit. 

Is cash freedom? Is cash wasteful? Is cash about to make a comeback? Or is this just a speed bump on the road to a fully digital wallet? Tara tests the tension between tap-and-go Ireland and the die-hard defenders of paper money. 

📧 Share your thoughts with us: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

🎧 Listen to Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe: https://www.goloudplayer.com/podcasts/let-me-explain-1031 

💶 Visit John Lowe’s Money Doctor: https://moneydoctors.ie 

🌐 Explore Brett Scott’s work: https://alteredstatesof.money 

Ireland, by contrast, is taking a very different path. Our Covid-19 Evaluation has been operating behind closed doors for months. No sworn evidence. No public questioning. No powers to compel documents or text messages. Supporters of the process say it keeps the focus on learning lessons instead of political point-scoring. Critics — including many families bereaved in nursing homes — say it's “toothless" and reminiscent of past Irish investigations that simply didn’t go far enough. 

On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan hears from Dr Ciara Kelly, who has long argued that Ireland locked down too hard for too long. She also speaks to Majella Beattie of Care Champions about why so many families believe only a statutory inquiry can deliver the transparency they were denied during the darkest months of 2020 and 2021. And Maynooth University’s Shamsoddin Shariati explains to Newstalk Daily why our expert-led review may avoid the political circus unfolding in the UK. 

The average home in Ireland now costs eight times the average income. One in five homes sell for 20% above the asking price, and just 22% of buyers say they trust estate agents, according to the CCPC. With only 13,000 homes for sale nationally, competition is intense and emotions run high. 

Tara speaks first to Ronan Crinion, founder and managing director of MoveHome, about licensing, transparency, and why his industry gets such a bad rap. What’s myth, what’s fact, and what really happens behind the scenes when bids start rolling in? 

Then she’s joined by Ciarán Mulqueen of Crazy House Prices, a man who spends every day fielding messages from buyers who feel confused, stressed, and sometimes misled. He explains how asking prices are set, whether “phantom bidders” are actually possible under current regulations, and what buyers can do to put themselves in the strongest position. 

If you’ve had your own home-buying horror story — or a positive experience with an estate agent who restored your faith — we’d love to hear from you. Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

During the siege of Sarajevo, according to claims emerging from Italian journalists and newly contacted whistleblowers, wealthy foreign visitors may have paid Bosnian Serb fighters to escort them to sniper positions overlooking the city, where civilians were deliberately targeted as if on a safari. 

If true, it would mean civilians in a European capital were killed not just out of hatred, but for sport. 

On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan speaks first with Zlata Filipović, whose childhood diary captured the terror and claustrophobia of life under sniper fire. Sometimes called the “Anne Frank of Sarajevo,” she reflects on memory, identity, the children lost, and parallels with recent events in Gaza. 

Then defence analyst Declan Power, who served with the Irish Army in Bosnia, joins Newstalk Daily to assess the allegations — where they came from, how credible they appear, and what mechanisms could allow something as macabre as “sniper tourism” to happen unnoticed by the wider world. 

✉️ Email your thoughts or questions to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.  

So, on today’s podcast, she’s joined by someone who has practically built part of his career on Line of Duty: Brendan O’Loughlin from 98FM, one of the voices behind Shrine of Duty — the fan podcast that became a runaway hit by decoding acronyms, analysing clues and channelling the intensity of AC-12 obsessives everywhere. Tara and Brendan talk about why the show became such a phenomenon, how Adrian Dunbar’s catchphrases entered everyday Irish slang, what the new storyline might hold, and why the fandom has already burst back to life. 

📧 Email your thoughts or favourite Line of Duty moments to: 
newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

▶️ Listen to Shrine of Duty here: 
https://www.goloudplayer.com/podcasts/shrine-podcast-376 

🎧 Catch Brendan every weekday morning on 98FM’s Big Breakfast: 
https://www.98fm.com/podcasts/big-breakfast 

On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan asks why so many mid-career politicians are stepping back, not at retirement age, but at the height of their influence. Is it burnout? Toxicity? Online abuse? A changing culture in public life? Or the simple truth that the private sector now offers better pay, better hours and a saner existence? 

Political correspondent Claire Scott of The Sunday Times digs into the trend and what it means for the next generation of leadership. Former Minister Ciarán Cannon reflects on life after politics, the pressures that drove colleagues to leave, and whether Ireland undervalues its politicians until other countries snap them up. 

We also hear a voice note from former Fianna Fáil TD and Senator Lisa Chambers, once tipped for Cabinet, who left politics at just 38 and explains the moment she realised life outside Leinster House might be healthier — and happier. 

From the politics of burnout to the politics of opportunity, this conversation explores a system struggling to retain talent — and asks whether the exodus is a warning sign for Irish politics. 

For thoughts or feedback, email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

In real life, the picture is just as messy. Samaritans research suggests one in ten men fake interest in sport and exaggerate their drinking, while two-thirds say they’d live differently if freed from social judgement. And yet we also saw Irish footballer Troy Parrott break down after the Hungary match, offering a rare counterweight to the idea that Irish men must bottle everything up. 

Educator Eoghan Cleary has spent years warning that boys are being raised — emotionally, sexually, socially — by the loudest, most misogynistic corners of the internet. Porn is shaping expectations long before adults intervene. Boys are anxious, angry, confused and algorithmically nudged toward men who promise clarity through dominance. 

On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan and Eoghan talk about why this generation feels lost, what parents can do tonight, what schools urgently need, and whether Ireland is finally ready to create a healthier, more humane model of masculinity for our sons. 

Comments and stories welcome at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

In today’s podcast, Shane Beatty looks at why GTA matters so much, what’s really causing the repeated hold-ups, and how a single title has become an economic bellwether for the global games industry. We hear from our own Micheál O’Connell (whose holiday plans have been derailed by the latest postponement) and from tech podcaster Kelly Earley on what this means for gamers, studios and the rapidly growing Irish games sector. 

🎧 Listen to Kelly Earley on the For Tech’s Sake podcast: https://www.fortechssakepod.com/ 

On today’s podcast, Shane opens up about starting a new injectable weight-loss treatment earlier this year, the dramatic impact it’s had on his body, and the monthly bill that comes with it. He talks frankly about what it’s like to be living on a medication that can transform your weight and your health — while still feeling nervous about telling people you’re on it. 

Shane is joined by Dr Mick Crotty from the Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, and community pharmacist and WonderCare podcast host Sheena Mitchell. They explain how drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy work, why Ireland has become a manufacturing hub for their active ingredients, and what that means for everything from our hospitals to our corporation tax take. They also tackle the big questions: who can get these medicines through the HSE, who’s forced to pay hundreds of euro a month, and why an estimated three in four users never admit they’re on them at all. 

From side-eye at the pharmacy counter to fears about “cheating” at weight loss, Newstalk Daily asks whether it’s time to rethink our ideas about obesity, willpower and what it means to take control of your own body. 

📩 Email: Share your own experience of weight loss medication — anonymously or otherwise — at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

🎧 Listen to Sheena Mitchell’s WonderCare podcast: https://www.wondercare.ie/episodes/ 

In today’s podcast, we ask what it would mean for an ordinary workplace to follow her lead. Could a private company – say, a busy radio station like Newstalk – decide that Irish is the language of the office? What would that look like for staff who are fluent, staff who are rusty, and staff who still wake up sweating about their Leaving Cert oral? 

Today FM presenter and How To Gael co-host Louise Cantillon joins Shane to talk about living and working bilingually every day, why she slips between Irish and English on air without thinking about it, and how listeners really react when a national presenter leans into Gaeilge. She explains where her own grá for the language comes from and what she learned interviewing President Connolly during the campaign. 

We also hear from Natasha O’Flaherty of Hynes’ Pub in Stoneybatter, where customers are actively encouraged to order their pints in Irish. She explains how a few words at the bar can change the atmosphere of a place, and why making mistakes is part of the fun rather than something to fear. 

Then HR expert Moira Grassick from Peninsula Ireland joins Shane to reality-check the idea of an Irish-language workplace. She talks through what the law actually says, whether a company could insist on Irish for certain roles, how contracts and policies would have to change, and how employers might promote Irish without alienating staff who aren’t confident speakers. From lunchtime conversation circles to bilingual signage and the branding benefits of using our first official language, she lays out what’s possible – and what would be a legal or practical nightmare. 

So can Irish really move beyond the Gaeltacht, the classroom and the Dáil chamber to become a genuine working language again? Or is this one of those ideas we love in theory, but quietly abandon once the Monday morning inbox lands? 

🎧 Listen to Louise Cantillon on the How To Gael podcast: https://www.howtogael.com/ 

🎧 Tune into Splanc with Cuán Ó Flatharta on Newstalk: https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/splanc 

📧 Tell us whether Irish could work in your office: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

But with the cost of a two-bed apartment in Dublin now topping €550,000, and homelessness hitting record highs, will this one finally make a difference? 

Joining Shane Beatty on today’s podcast are Seán O’Neill McPartlin, Director of Housing Policy at Progress Ireland — who’s published his own 25-point plan to deliver 300,000 homes — and architect Pat Barry, CEO of the Irish Green Building Council. 

They discuss what real solutions look like: 
– Cutting construction costs and planning red tape 
– Balancing sustainability with speed 
– Making better use of empty buildings 
– Whether lowering building standards risks repeating old mistakes 

They also present some big ideas, including local authority one-stop-shops across the country and integrating housing developments with major public infrastructure projects like Dublin’s new metro.  

Ireland’s new president, Catherine Connolly, called housing “a fundamental human right.” But after a decade of failed strategies — from Rebuilding Ireland to Housing for All — can this latest plan finally deliver? 

📩 Share your story: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Shane Beatty speaks to Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, about the group calling itself the “Irish Defence Army” — the small, secretive network at the centre of the investigation. 

The podcast explores how Ireland’s far-right has evolved from social-media agitation to real-world activity; the ideology fuelling it; and how authorities north and south of the border are responding. It also looks at the impact on Muslim and migrant communities, the verbal abuse of faith leaders such as Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, and the recent alleged arson attack on an IPAS centre in Drogheda. 

🔗 Read more from Cormac O’Keeffe and the Irish Examiner: www.irishexaminer.com 
📩 Share your thoughts or experiences with us: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

On today’s podcast, Shane Beatty is joined by Cameron Hill from Off The Ball to ask whether these long-delayed projects mark a real turning point for domestic football — or just more patchwork progress. 

From the political wrangling behind Dalymount’s €64 million rebuild to the deep cultural roots of Bohemians’ unique social mission, Shane and Cameron explore how the League of Ireland compares to the GAA and rugby when it comes to investment and ambition, and whether Irish football is finally ready to dream big again. 

They also look at the hard questions: 

Why did it take a decade to greenlight Dalymount? 

Can Dublin really sustain two stadiums side-by-side? 

And does the League’s revival off the pitch — with sellout crowds and viral jerseys — signal a brighter, better-funded future for the game? 

🎧 Listen as we ask: If you build it, will they come? 

📩 Got thoughts on the future of Irish football? Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

📱 Follow Cameron Hill for more football insight and updates: @the_cameronhill 

They explore the pageantry carried over from the old days of empire — uniforms, salutes, and a ceremony once designed for kings — and how faith and religion have always played a part, from early Catholic blessings to today’s more pluralist prayers. 

Flor explains how each president used the day to set a tone: Mary Robinson reaching out to the Irish diaspora, Mary McAleese pledging to build bridges north and south, and Michael D. Higgins invoking the power of culture and poetry. 

There are lighter touches too: Flor has uncovered what past presidents had for lunch — Dev’s post-inauguration feast was simply chicken, peas and spuds — and she offers a glimpse inside Áras an Uachtaráin, where President-elect Connolly and her family will move in tomorrow afternoon. 

Expect a ceremony rich in symbolism, with plenty of Irish language woven through. Catherine Connolly has said she wants Irish to be the working language of her presidency. 

📘 Read more in Flor MacCarthy’s book The Presidents’ Letters: An Unexpected History of Ireland (Little Island Books): 
👉 https://www.littleisland.ie/books/the-presidents-letters-an-unexpected-history-of-ireland 

✉️ Email us your thoughts on the new president: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

From claims that aliens built the Pyramids to the wild theory that birds aren’t real (they’re government-controlled drones, apparently), these ideas spread faster than ever and reach millions who never question them. 

As Ireland’s Science Week gets underway, Shane Beatty is joined by Dr Shane Bergin, Associate Professor in Science Education at UCD, host of The Trust Race podcast, and the man who actually teaches a course on conspiracy theories at UCD. 

Dr Bergin explains why we fall for fake facts, how social media algorithms amplify suspicion, and what centuries-old events like the Gunpowder Plot reveal about the long, strange history of paranoia and mistrust. He also recalls how conspiracy and misinformation surrounding the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s cost lives — a reminder that these ideas aren’t harmless fun. 

From 5G panic to flat-Earth videos, and from anti-vaccine movements to moon-landing denial, this episode explores how mistrust takes root — and how science can fight back through education, creativity, and connection. Welcome to your crash course in the psychology of disbelief. 

🔬 Explore Science Week 2025 events and activities: https://www.scienceweek.ie 

📘 Read Dr Shane Bergin’s new book, The Experimenters: Luke and Ruby’s Scientific Sleepover (Little Island Books): https://littleisland.ie/books/the-experimenters-luke-and-rubys-scientific-sleepover/ 

💌 Share your favourite (or strangest) science conspiracy with us: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Now, as the Irish Criminal Assets Bureau sells off his former Dublin mansion for a record sum, Kinahan remains untouched in Dubai: shopping, dining with boxers, and running what Europol calls a “Super Cartel” worth up to €20 billion a year. 

On today’s podcast, Shane Beatty talks to Ed Caesar, whose New Yorker investigation reveals how Kinahan built his empire, courted boxing’s elite, and managed to stay free while others fell. They also discuss why the United Arab Emirates have become, in Ed's words, "a sandy place for shady people." And Ed reveals he's been informed that Daniel Kinahan has read his investigation in the magazine.

A story of crime, influence, and the strange safety of exile. 

📰 Read Ed Caesar’s full investigation in The New Yorker: 👉 The Cocaine Kingpin Living Large in Dubai 

 📩 Email the show: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 
 

So, what’s behind the new numbers? Why do councils set different rates? And what exactly is all that money spent on? 

Economist Dr Barra Roantree from Trinity College Dublin joins Shane on Newstalk Daily to explain how the LPT really works and argue that it’s actually one of the fairest taxes in Ireland. Barra says a stronger property tax could fund better local services… or even help cut income tax. Shane, meanwhile, has other ideas: “Vote for Barra, he’ll raise your taxes. Vote for me, I’ll cut them!” 

From revaluations and rate bands to council budgets and pensioner deferrals, this podcast is your quick, clear guide to the Local Property Tax — what it is, what you owe, where it goes, and why we’re still arguing about it twelve years after it began. 

📅 Deadline to revalue: 7 November 2025 
🏠 Check your band on revenue.ie 
💌 Got thoughts on the property tax? Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com ✉️ 

Now, as calls grow louder for his release — including from former Irish President Mary Robinson and the Elders — his son Arab Barghouti joins the podcast to speak about life in the long shadow of captivity. 

Arab paints a portrait of his father as both political leader and family man — a man who has spent 23 years cut off from his wife and children, often in solitary confinement, yet who still finds ways to teach fellow prisoners about history, resistance, and reconciliation. He even tells the story of how his father taught inmates about Ireland’s own struggle for independence and the Northern Ireland peace process, as a lesson in political endurance. 

In conversation with Shane Beatty, Arab also talks about the personal toll of separation, the role of faith and hope, and what his father’s vision for a unified Palestine might look like today. Shane asks whether US President Donald Trump has intervened with Israel on their behalf, and whether Hamas could ever accept Marwan Barghouti as a unity leader. 

It’s an intimate conversation that folds the headlines of the present into the wounds of the past — and asks whether peace could be strengthened by one man’s release. 

📩 Email: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

On today’s podcast, Shane Beatty speaks to Jennifer Keane, founder of PayGap.ie — the independent project that’s been collecting and publishing Ireland’s pay data long before the State ever did. Jen’s blunt about it: “The oversight is me — and I’m easy to ignore.” 

She explains why companies are still struggling with transparency, what the latest data says about who earns what, and how some employers have quietly overwritten or buried their pay reports online. 

Jen also warns that Artificial Intelligence could make the pay gap worse, not better — especially if hiring algorithms are trained on biased data. She’s even tested it: one AI system recommended a higher salary for a man than for an equally qualified woman. 

And with experts estimating it could take another century to close Ireland’s gender pay gap, we ask: what will it take to fix a problem everyone admits exists, but no one seems to own? 

💻 Explore the data: 👉 paygap.ie — Ireland’s independent gender pay reporting portal, created by Jennifer Keane. 

📧 Share your story: ✉️ newstalkdaily@newstalk.com — Tell us your experience of the gender pay gap. 

They talk bollocks (literally), trace the word ‘craic’ from Yorkshire to Connemara, and explore how the Dáil’s list of banned words says as much about Irish politics as any debate. There’s even a defence of jizz — not what you think, but the spark and energy that gives our language its life. 

📘 Buy Colm’s book: Gallivanting with Words – Gill Books 

🎧 Listen to Colm and Aoife’s podcast: A Few Scoops on GoLoud 

✉️ Email the show: Send your favourite Hiberno-English words to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

He’s taken on heavyweights like Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa and won over crowds of young voters in stadium-sized rallies featuring Bernie Sanders and Alexandia Ocasio-Cortez. But his insurgent campaign has also drawn fierce criticism from centrist Democrats and Republicans alike, who accuse him of dragging the party too far left. 

So, who exactly is Zohran Mamdani? What explains his meteoric rise from local organiser to national figurehead? And could his brand of grassroots socialism redefine what it means to be a Democrat in America? 

On today’s podcast, Shane Beatty speaks to Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies at UCD’s Clinton Institute, about Mamdani’s story, from his Queens roots to his bid for City Hall — and what it tells us about the future of U.S. politics. 

Listen and follow Newstalk Daily on the GoLoud Player or wherever you get your podcasts — and drop us a line with your thoughts at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

He’s led Fianna Fáil through crises before — the post-crash collapse, coalition with Fine Gael, and two terms as Taoiseach — but this latest controversy has some in the parliamentary party wondering if the Corkman’s luck has finally run out. 

On today’s podcast, Shane Beatty is joined by Shane Coleman, presenter of Newstalk Breakfast, to chart Martin’s extraordinary political endurance, from his first election to the Dáil in 1989 to today’s leadership crisis. Listening to the voices of Fianna Fáil TDs John McGuinness, John Lahart, Malcolm Byrne, and Senator Anne Rabbitte, the two Shanes explore the rifts, the rumours, and the reality of life inside a party openly debating whether to stand by its survivor-in-chief — or move on without him. 

Email us your thoughts on Micheál Martin’s future and Fianna Fáil’s next chapter at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Back in 1907, Dublin Castle — the heart of British rule in Ireland — was the scene of a theft so bizarre it remains unsolved to this day. The Irish Crown Jewels, a dazzling collection of emerald- and diamond-studded regalia, simply disappeared from a locked strongbox with no sign of forced entry. 

Sir Arthur Vicars, the man in charge, blamed poison; Scotland Yard blamed whiskey. And suspicion soon fell on Francis Shackleton (brother of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton), a charming chancer with debts, connections, and access. Even Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, took an interest. Yet more than a century later, the case is still wide open. 

Shane Beatty joins historian and broadcaster Myles Dungan to revisit Ireland’s most notorious unsolved crime, the missing Crown Jewels, and to ask what it is about these glittering mysteries that capture the public imagination from Paris to Dublin. 

Myles discusses his book from 2003, The Stealing of the Irish Crown Jewels: An Unsolved Crime, as well as his latest historical novel, The Red Branch, which is published by Etruscan Press and available in all good bookshops. 

💎 Find out more about Myles Dungan’s work at mylesdungan.com 

You can listen back anytime on GoLoud or Newstalk.com, and if you’ve got your own theory about what happened to the jewels — email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

On this Bank Holiday edition of the podcast, Shane Beatty relives the glory (and chaos) of Earls Park FC with Sinéad Dalton, editor at Evoke.ie. Together they ask: could a reboot possibly capture the wild energy of the original — or has reality TV and influencer culture already done it better? 

From Tanya Turner’s champagne-fuelled meltdowns to the real-life drama of the Wagatha Christie trial, the conversation explores how celebrity football culture evolved, from the era of Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Tweedy to today’s Instagram-savvy WAGs. 

So, would Footballers’ Wives still score with audiences in 2025… or would it get cancelled faster than you can say “It’s Rebekah Vardy’s account”? 

Catch the full chat now — and tell us what you think: should Footballers’ Wives make a comeback? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com or listen back on GoLoud and Newstalk.com. 

It’s a debate that lands just as the United Nations turns 80, an age that invites both celebration and soul-searching. The UN was born in 1945 to keep peace and security in the wake of the Second World War. Yet in 2025, it looks increasingly powerless — gridlocked on Gaza, paralysed on Ukraine, mocked by Donald Trump, and sidelined on global crises from climate to migration. 

Has the UN simply grown too old for the world it was meant to keep secure? And if Ireland untethers itself from the triple lock, does that mark a quiet farewell to neutrality — or an overdue step toward independence in foreign policy? 

On today’s podcast, Shane Beatty speaks with Dr Ben Tonra, Professor of International Relations at UCD, to explore whether the United Nations is still fit for purpose. Shane also hears from Jim Clarken, CEO of Oxfam Ireland, who’s calling for a dramatic overhaul of the Security Council and an end to the “stranglehold of the Big Five.” 

Happy United Nations Day, listeners! 

Have your say — email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

We clear up some common myths and explain how the Counting Officer and Returning Officers manage the ballots in the unusual single-seat presidential version of PR-STV.

Why do we use pencils? Are selfies allowed inside the polling booths? And what happens if you accidentally drop your wedding ring inside a ballot box? Art has all the answers!

Whether you’ve voted before or it’s your first time — this episode is your practical voting checklist and behind-the-scenes guide.

📌 Check your registration now: checktheregister.ie
 📌 Read full voting guidance: electoralcommission.ie/presidential-elections/

The former French president has begun serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy, related to illegal campaign financing with links to Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya — a case that’s transfixed France and divided public opinion. Some see it as justice finally catching up with the powerful. Others see political vengeance dressed as rule of law.

On today’s podcast, Shane Beatty speaks with French journalist and broadcaster Agnès Poirier about how Sarkozy’s rise and fall mirror France’s uneasy dance between grandeur and scandal. Why do the French hold their leaders to certain standards while overlooking others? How did Sarkozy’s celebrity-style presidency rewrite the script for political power? And what does his imprisonment say about France’s democracy today?

From the glamour of Carla Bruni to the gravity of corruption charges, this is a story of love, legacy, and the limits of power.

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 💬 Email your thoughts to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

In today’s podcast Shane Beatty sits down with Aaron Harte-Hughes, who teaches law and criminology at Maynooth University, to explain the hidden machinery behind Ireland’s witness security system: who decides who qualifies, how new identities are created, how families are resettled overseas, and why the entire programme still operates without a clear legal basis. They trace its origins in the aftermath of Guerin’s murder, explore high-profile cases such as Charles Bowden, David Mooney and the ongoing “Doe family” litigation, and ask whether secrecy has gone too far. 

From courtroom credibility battles to the ethical dilemmas of relocating children and rewriting lives, this conversation reveals the tension between justice, safety, and accountability.  

Listeners can contact the podcast with comments or experiences at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Virgin Media TV presenter Karen Koster, who has met and interviewed Victoria, joins Ciara Doherty on the podcast to share her impressions. She describes the documentary as highly curated: everything is filtered through Victoria’s endorsement, leaving some family tensions and personal struggles off-camera. Karen was struck by the sheer amount of work Victoria puts into her projects, the business pressures she faces, and the meticulous way she navigates the media and fashion worlds. Meeting Victoria in person, Karen says, was like “seeing the magazine page come to life” — funny, impressive, and incredibly disciplined. 

The conversation also touches on what the doc doesn’t show: Brooklyn wasn’t involved, a past affair isn’t mentioned, and the family’s internal divides around marriages and fashion choices remain private. Ciara also gets thoughts from some of friends of the podcast: The Home Show’s Sinead Ryan, who’s a devoted fan; Susan Hayes-Culleton from Taking Stock, who admires Victoria’s business acumen; and John Fardy from Screentime, who isn’t quite convinced. 

Love her or roll your eyes at her, Victoria Beckham remains a master of reinvention, and the Netflix series offers a rare glimpse into how she built her empire. 

📺 Watch the series now on Netflix 
📸 Follow Karen Koster on Instagram: @karenkostertv 

Through their work with The Parents’ Circle, the organization uniting bereaved families from both sides, Rami and Bassam have become symbols of dialogue, compassion, and the transformative power of understanding. Their story was immortalized in Colum McCann’s novel Apeirogon, capturing their personal tragedies alongside the broader complexities of the conflict. 
 
For today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Rami, Bassam and Colum, and their conversation touches on their reflections following recent ceasefire developments, the importance of acknowledging occupation and oppression, and the lessons they hope Ireland - and the world - can learn from their experiences. 

🕊️ The Parents Circle – Families Forum: www.theparentscircle.org 

✍️ Colum McCann’s official website: www.colummccann.com 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty explores the science and the drama behind these vital elements – and the increasingly tense battle for their control. Eoin McGrath, Principal Geologist with the Geological Survey Ireland, explains what rare earths are and why they matter for green energy, defence, and everyday tech. He also shows why extracting and refining them is so tricky — and why the world can’t afford to take them for granted. 

Later, Arthur Sullivan, senior editor at DW, breaks down the global stakes. China currently dominates rare earth production, controlling 85–90% of the market, and has turned it into a powerful bargaining chip, imposing major controls on their export. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer this week called China's new measures "a global supply-chain power grab." 

Arthur explains how Europe and the U.S. are scrambling to catch up, how these materials intersect with trade tensions, the war in Ukraine, and what it could mean for future alliances around the world. 

🌍 Explore more with Geological Survey Ireland: www.gsi.ie 

📰 Read more from Arthur Sullivan at DW: Arthur Sullivan – DW 

These Games — a privately funded, doping-permitted alternative to the Olympics — are the brainchild of Dr Aron D’Souza, an Oxford-educated lawyer and entrepreneur with deep links to Silicon Valley’s libertarian tech elite. He calls it the “next step in human evolution.” Critics call it a dangerous vanity project that could destroy elite sport as we know it. 

Ryan says he’s motivated by money and opportunity. After three Olympics, years of training, and little financial reward, he argues that joining the Enhanced Games offers him “a jumpstart financially” - even if it means risking his reputation and health. 

The Enhanced Games promise huge prize pots of up to $1 million for world records and medical supervision for athletes who choose to use performance-enhancing substances. But scientists warn that “safe doping” is a contradiction in terms, and sporting bodies from Sport Ireland to WADA have condemned the project as both unethical and dangerous. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by sports writer Kieran Cunningham to explore the man behind the movement, the money driving it, and what Shane Ryan’s decision tells us about the shifting moral boundaries of sport. 

Is this the beginning of a new sporting revolution — or the moment the idea of “fair play” finally dies? 

Listen and have your say: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty first listens to some of Robinson’s rhetoric, media coverage of the recent Unite the Kingdom protest, described in the British media as a “day of rage,” and Robinson’s claim yesterday outside Westminster Magistrate’s Court that he’s simply a “citizen journalist” trying to go about his work. She then speaks to Ciarán O’Connor, senior analyst with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, about how figures like Robinson have become reference points for Irish far-right activists.

They discuss the growing online crossover between British and Irish movements, the adoption of British protest symbols — including the Irish Tricolour at UK rallies — and the way digital platforms like X, TikTok and Telegram have helped spread extremist narratives across borders.

Ciarán explains how Ireland’s far right has evolved from local activism into part of a wider, international network, fuelled by algorithms, and amplified by influencers who blur national and ideological lines.

This is the story of how one man’s message travelled well beyond his home, reshaping Ireland’s political fringes along the way. And today, Tommy Robinson is en route to Israel, as a “guest of the government.”

If you’ve thoughts on today’s episode, drop us an email at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

But what exactly are we watching unfold here? Is this, as some have argued, a genuine moment of geopolitical progress? Or something closer to what political strategists call “dead-cat diplomacy”: dramatic, headline-grabbing moves that divert attention from deeper problems at home and abroad? 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty examines the spectacle and the substance of Trump’s latest Middle East gambit - the hostages, the photo-ops, and the politics behind them - before turning to Professor Stefan Wolff, an expert on international security from the University of Birmingham. Together, they explore how much real progress has been made, and whether Trump’s brand of “peace through power” could have lasting effects. 

They also discuss the argument made by former Biden advisor Robert Malley, who, in a rare note of concession, suggested that Trump’s actions, while unorthodox, demonstrate an effective exercise of power politics. But is that effectiveness sustainable, or just another moment of chaos disguised as success? 

To his fans, the question sounds absurd. Combs has outsold Garth Brooks, filled stadiums across America, and built a huge following among younger listeners who are redefining what country music means.

But why does this genre connect so strongly with Irish audiences?

In today’s episode, Ciara speaks with Simon Maher, music broadcaster and lecturer, and Robert Mizzell, country musician, about the roots of Ireland’s long love affair with country, how the scene is changing, and why a Slane Castle crowd might be the perfect fit for Luke Combs.

From Nashville to Navan, we explore who’s really listening to the music and what happened to the outlaws like Cash and Christopherson.

Have thoughts on the episode or ideas for future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda, has called it “the Human Centipede of content”, condemning the use of her late father’s likeness in these creations.

But who’s actually behind this wave of synthetic media, and who stands to benefit from it?

In today’s episode, Ciara speaks with Dr Andrew Hines, Director of Graduate Research at the School of Computer Science at UCD and an investigator at the Science Foundation Ireland Insight Centre for Data Analytics and the ADAPT Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology.

They discuss the rise of AI-generated media, the ethics of deepfakes, and whether this technology risks eroding creativity and trust online.

As tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 spread across social platforms, is AI-powered content the next step in digital entertainment or a warning sign for how far we’ll go to automate creativity?

Have thoughts on the episode or ideas for future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

A decade later, how much has really changed? Or do those calls remain since one of Ireland’s darkest mornings.

In today’s episode, Ciara revisits the events of that night with journalist Tessa Ndjonkou, retracing the timeline of the fire and the lives it altered forever.

Later, Bernard Joyce, Director of the Irish Traveller Movement, joins to reflect on what progress has been made and where we still fall short.

From persistent housing failures to political inaction, Bernard argues that too many Traveller families remain at risk in unsafe or unsuitable conditions.

Ten years after Carrickmines, we ask: what lessons were truly learned — and could it happen again?

Any thoughts or questions on today’s episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

MND is a devastating neurological condition that progressively weakens the body, and in recent years, concern has grown over whether elite sport could be a contributing factor,.  

But is there really a link between repeated head impacts and the onset of this disease, or are genetics and chance playing a greater role? 

In today’s episode, Ciara Doherty is joined by Professor Orla Hardiman, Professor of Neurology at Trinity College Dublin and Director of Ireland’s National ALS Service, to explore what we actually know about the causes of MND — and what science can and can’t tell us about its connection to sport. 

Later, Kevin Burn, CEO of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, discusses the work of his charity and some of the help they offer to people diagnosed with the disease.

Can research bring us closer to prevention or even a cure? 

Our thanks to BBC for use of clips. 

Want to share your thoughts or suggest future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.  

From Ray “Mac the Knife” McSharry’s brutal cuts in the 1980s, to Charlie McCreevy’s boom-era generosity — and his short-lived attempt at tax individualisation that sparked a backlash from families — right through to Brian Lenihan’s crisis budgets during the financial crash, the podcast explores how misjudged measures can haunt governments for years. 

Ciara and Danny also dig into why “budget kites” are floated in the media, what’s really happening in the lobbying frenzy at Merrion Street, and how secrecy around the speech itself can make or break public reaction. With over €2.2 billion in temporary cost-of-living supports on the line this year, can Paschal Donohoe and Jack Chambers avoid repeating the mistakes of their predecessors when they reveal their plans later today? 

Stay with Newstalk for full coverage of Budget 2026 across the day, on air, online at newstalk.com, on Instagram @newstalkradio, and on the GoLoud app. 

Billions are being poured into rockets, satellites and lunar missions, but behind the dazzling science is a darker reality: allegations of spying, stolen technology and military ambitions that could decide who controls the future of space. NASA has barred Chinese nationals from its facilities citing security fears, while Beijing accuses “foreign agents” of targeting its scientists. At the same time, both sides are racing for the Moon, not just to plant a flag, but to secure resources and set the rules for decades to come. 

Is this really about exploration, or are we witnessing the early moves in a new Cold War in orbit? And what role does Europe play as NASA’s partner but also as an ambitious space power in its own right? 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Dr Mark Hilborne, Senior Lecturer in the School of Security Studies at King’s College London and a lecturer on the Irish Defence Forces’ Advanced Command Staff Course, to discuss espionage fears, Moon ambitions, and the risks of turning space into the next battlefield. 

Want to feed back on the episode or suggest future topics? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by David J. Butler, Provincial Grand Librarian and Archivist with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Munster Freemasons, to separate the fact from the fiction. Where did Freemasonry begin, and what does it take to join? What happens inside a Masonic lodge – and do those famous handshakes and rituals exist? 

From the medieval guild roots of the Masons to modern-day charity work, from Elizabethan traditions to Irish paper trails that go back centuries, this conversation explores how a fraternity of stonemasons grew into one of the most mythologised organisations in the world. Along the way, Ciara asks about the most common misconceptions, the famous square and compass symbol, and why the UK’s Metropolitan Police is now debating whether officers should publicly declare Masonic links. 

So, are the Freemasons truly puppet-masters behind the scenes, or simply a fraternity that enjoys old customs and community spirit? This is your chance to hear directly from one Irish Mason. 

Got thoughts or questions about this episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Blair’s appointment has provoked outrage in some quarters and eye-rolling in others. To Palestinians, his name is synonymous with the Iraq invasion and years of failed diplomacy. Hamas has rejected his involvement outright, calling it “foreign guardianship.” Even within his own Labour Party, many regard him as politically radioactive. Yet Blair’s allies insist he has a rare ability to speak to Washington, Jerusalem, and the Gulf capitals, and point to his role in Northern Ireland’s peace process as proof of his credentials. 

So is Blair really the man to bring peace to Gaza — or is this just another distraction in a region scarred by war and distrust? And what does the Trump-Netanyahu plan actually mean for the people of Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced? 

Joining the podcast from Beirut is award-winning journalist and author Rania Abouzeid, whose reporting has traced the fault lines of the Middle East from Iraq to Syria to Gaza. Ciara Doherty also listens-back to comments made by Donald Trump, Tony Blair himself, and Blair’s long-time adviser Alastair Campbell.  

🌍 Visit Rania Abouzeid’s website: https://www.raniaabouzeid.com 

The pattern is clear and it's getting worse: politicians and their families are becoming targets in a new wave of violence that blurs the line between online rhetoric and real-world attacks. The cost is measured not just in lives lost but in the growing fear that public service itself is becoming a deadly risk. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Katie Amess, daughter of the late Sir David Amess. From her home in California, she reflects on the trauma of losing her father, the unanswered questions about why he was left vulnerable, and her campaign for accountability from the British authorities. She also warns that the same failures within terrorist monitoring and complacency about policing she saw in the UK are now mirrored in Ireland and the US. 

This episode examines the rising tide of political violence — from Westminster to Dublin to Washington — and asks whether democracies can protect their representatives without sacrificing openness and accessibility. Four years on from her father’s killing, Katie Amess argues that leaders must not look away, because without systemic reform, the attacks will not stop. 

So, who decides when the moment is right? What does “appears likely” really mean in law? And how much power rests with Westminster to stop or stall the process? In fact, as Sam McBride from the Belfast Telegraph recently highlighted, the Westminster parliament in London may still hold the final legislative key — something that even seasoned commentators have overlooked. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Dr Jennifer Kavanagh, law lecturer at South East Technological University, about the Taoiseach’s remarks, the legal grey zones of the Northern Ireland Act, and why the debate is as much about politics and the vagaries of opinion polls as it is about law. 

If you’ve got thoughts on today’s episode or where the border poll debate is heading, drop us a line at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

At the heart of this row are the powerful corporations that own U.S. broadcast television: Disney (which owns ABC and ESPN), Comcast (which owns NBC and Telemundo), Paramount Global (which controls CBS), Fox Corporation (parent of the FOX network), and Nexstar Media Group (the country’s largest owner of local affiliate stations). Their decisions shape not only the fate of comedians like Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert, but also how political coverage reaches millions of Americans every night. 

Former President Donald Trump has accused the networks of bias and threatened their licences — a power regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Meanwhile, billionaire figures like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and media dynasties such as the Murdochs and Redstones remain closely tied to both the business and political sides of broadcasting. 

So how much of what Americans watch is decided by creative freedom, and how much by political pressure, business interests, or regulatory oversight? And what does the Kimmel controversy tell us about the future of free speech on television? 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by U.S. media analyst Claire Atkinson, host of The Media Mix, to untangle the complicated, deeply political world of media control. 

👉 Follow Claire’s work on her Substack here: https://claireatkinson.substack.com

Novelist Emily Hourican joins Ciara Doherty on the podcast to separate history from fiction. From the monumental funeral of Sir Benjamin to the family’s mix of philanthropy and strategy, from the rise of Edward Cecil Guinness to the scandal-tinged glamour of the Guinness Girls, we trace how a Dublin brewing dynasty became a cultural mythology. We also explore the family’s surprising resilience through Ireland’s political upheavals, their role in shaping Dublin’s landscape, and how their legacy still echoes today. 

Emily Hourican’s own novels inspired by the dynasty, The Guinness Girls, offer another window into this extraordinary family. So, what do we learn when history, literature and television collide? And is there any truth to the so-called 'Guinness Curse'?

Newstalk Daily reporter Alex Rowley went to the Dublin premiere of the show where he met three of its stars: Danielle Galligan, who plays Lady Olivia Hedges, Dervla Kirwan (Aunt Agnes Guinness), and Fionn O’Shea (Benjamin Guinness). 

🔗 Emily Hourican’s website 

📸 Follow Alex on Instagram @alexxrowley 

The NFL has long been linked with the US military, its pageantry often doubling as unashamed Pentagon-backed propaganda. The Vikings’ owner, Mark Wilf, chairs the Jewish Agency for Israel, which supports settlement building in the occupied West Bank. And while Ireland will bank millions in tourist revenue, some see the whole spectacle as sportswashing on a global stage. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Off The Ball producer Mick McCarthy to ask whether this is a sporting triumph or, as critics argue, a soft power Trojan Horse. They discuss American football’s close links with the Trump administration in the United States, the shadow of Colin Kaepernick’s protest era, the silence of today’s NFL, the blurred line between cultural exchange and imperialism, and whether Croke Park should brace for demonstrations when ‘America’s Game’ kicks off in the home of the GAA. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty gets you fully briefed on what to expect. First, Gerard Howlin, political advisor and Irish Times columnist, casts his eye over the field of candidates – weighing their strengths, their weaknesses, and whether anyone is already stumbling out of the gate. Then, UCC’s Professor Theresa Reidy takes us inside the machinery of a modern presidential campaign: the poster wars, the social media battles, the set-piece TV debates, the all-important turnout, and whether the final result will come down to transfers. 

If you want to understand not just who’s in the running but how the next four weeks will really play out, this is the place to start. 

👥 Guests: Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant, Political Advisor, and Irish Times Columnist, and Professor Theresa Reidy, School of Government, University College Cork; Co-editor of How Ireland Voted series 

📢 There’ll be lots of presidential coverage across Newstalk and the GoLoud network over the coming weeks. Keep an eye on 🌐 newstalk.com and 📸 @newstalkfm on Instagram for more details. 

For the first time, 5th and 6th class pupils will learn about sexual orientation - a topic absent from the current curriculum. Puberty education will begin earlier, reflecting the reality that many children now experience it long before secondary school. Consent will also be introduced, not in a sexual context, but as part of teaching children that they have the right to set boundaries and say no. 

The aim is to prepare children for the lives they are already living, lives shaped by earlier puberty, smartphones, online influences, and the pressures of growing up in a far more connected world. But critics argue there are glaring gaps, particularly the absence of any discussion of gender identity, and questions remain about how schools of different ethos will deliver these lessons in practice. 

Psychologist Dr Elaine Byrnes joins Ciara to discuss what’s in — and what’s missing — from this long-awaited update to the way Irish children are taught about their bodies, their feelings, and their relationships. 
 
Plus Josh Crosbie talks to people on the streets of Cork City about their responses to the reform of sex education in school. 

Got thoughts on this episode? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is rejoined by Susan Hayes Culleton, the Positive Economist and host of Taking Stock. Together, they explore why alcohol consumption is falling, how Gen Z is rewriting nightlife with sober-curiosity, and what these changes mean for an industry that’s long been central to Irish social life. 

Susan shares striking data: the number of people who say they never drink is steadily increasing, while others report cutting back or drinking in new and more selective ways. Ciara admits she’s experimenting with sober-curiosity herself, while Susan describes becoming far pickier about quality, preferring to savour a good glass of wine over casual rounds. 

But beyond personal choice, economics are biting hard. Black Donkey Brewing, pioneers of wild yeast fermentation and the makers of the iconic Sheep Stealer and Underworld series, have wound down operations. Killarney Brewing Company closed its doors after post-Covid disruption, supply chain snags, and tariffs. Rye River Brewing has seen its costs rise by an astonishing 110% just four years, making survival difficult for smaller independents. Even Powerscourt Distillery, backed by a €25 million investment in premium Irish whiskey, has entered receivership — a stark sign of how vulnerable artisanal producers are to rising costs. 

Global politics adds yet another challenge. US tariffs on Irish spirits exports threaten one of the industry’s most lucrative markets, piling international pressure on top of domestic struggles. 

So is this simply the end of an era of excess? Or the beginning of a smarter, more selective drinking culture? And what happens to Ireland’s world-famous drinks industry if the next generation chooses club soda over craft stout? 

📧 Have your say: How have your drinking habits changed? Drop Ciara an email at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

📻 Hear more from Susan: Listen to her show Taking Stock, Sundays at 9am on Newstalk, or anytime on GoLoud. 

In today's podcast, Ciara Doherty asks whether Ireland is missing a trick when it comes to its night-time economy. Why are we an outlier in Europe when it comes to late-night cultural events? Could dance music and club culture finally be recognised as a legitimate art form? And what would better funding, fairer pay, and changes to licensing and transport mean for the people keeping Ireland’s creative pulse alive?

Joining Ciara are two guests who live and breathe this space: Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin’s Night-time Economy Advisor, and Natalie McCormack — better known as DJ NATMAC — the founder of the Electronic Music Council. Together they explore how Culture Night could be a springboard for something bigger, bolder, and lasting all year round.

For more information about Culture Night, visit culturenight.ie
Follow Natalie on Instagram: @natmacdj

But the debate in Ireland is not only technical. It is profoundly moral. The finding of a UN Commission of Inquiry that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide has intensified public outrage and compassion, fuelling calls for Ireland to take a principled stand regardless of economic cost. Across Irish society, there is deep anger at the scale of suffering in the Palestinian territories, and a strong belief that trade policy must reflect conscience as well as commerce. At the same time, there is unease about how a ban on services might work in practice - from airlines and booking platforms carrying tourists into settlements, to financial and insurance services, to tech companies with offices straddling disputed land. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s business editor Joe Lynam to explain exactly what the Occupied Territories Bill would do, why services were excluded from the government’s revised bill, how much trade is actually at stake, and what the practical consequences would be if Ireland pressed ahead with a wider ban. Together they explore why the US is so opposed, why IBEC has urged caution, and why so many ordinary Irish people believe that standing with Palestine is worth the price. 

Send us your thoughts — should Ireland expand the bill to include services, or focus on goods alone? Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

In today's podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to Quincey Dougan — himself a member of the Order and a historian — about the organisation’s presence south of the border. He traces the Order’s origins, its reputation as an avowedly anti-Catholic movement, and the reality of what it means to be an Orangeman in a majority-Catholic state.

Why do many members in the Republic keep their affiliation private? Could Heather Humphreys’ links with Orangeism help build bridges to unionist, loyalist and Orangeist communities in Northern Ireland — or will they deepen divides, especially against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about Irish unity?

This conversation explores an often-overlooked part of Irish society and its unexpected re-entry into the political spotlight.

Got thoughts or questions? Drop us an email at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

Both Marten and Gordon were given 14 years in prison over the death of their daughter Victoria. Gordon will serve a further four years on extended licence, while Marten will not be released until she has served at least two-thirds of her sentence. 

Their disappearance in late 2022 sparked a nationwide manhunt, a desperate search for a newborn baby, and a story that dominated headlines. Police pieced together how the couple evaded CCTV, relied on a network of safe houses, and carried their infant through a freezing winter — until their arrest in Brighton, and the tragic discovery of Victoria’s body days later. 

In court, Judge Mark Lucraft said the couple gave no “thought to the care or welfare” of their child, focusing only on themselves as they tried to avoid detection. He found Victoria’s death was caused by hypothermia — “the result of obvious neglect” — and accused the pair of showing no genuine remorse, instead blaming everyone else. 

From Martin’s privileged background and Gordon’s troubled past, through the disappearance and trials, to the final sentencing, this is a story that shocked Britain and continues to raise tough questions about parental responsibility, child protection, and the limits of the law. 

Ciara Doherty is joined by journalist Vincent McAviney, who has followed the case from the very beginning, reporting from Brighton on the morning of their arrests and throughout the subsequent trials. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by former investigator and forensic psychologist Geraldine Noone, who spent decades in policing and helped bring killer Graham Dwyer to justice. Together they explore why humans are so bad at spotting lies, whether body language really gives the game away, and how detectives actually uncover the truth when the stakes are at their highest. 

From poker-style “tells” to the myths about shifty eyes, Geraldine explains what science really says about lying, and why elaborate stories often trip people up. Along the way, she compares the chaotic decision-making of the Faithful on The Traitors with the careful, evidence-driven strategies used inside police interview rooms. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could survive in The Traitors castle - or whether you’d spot a liar in real life - this conversation has the answers. 

🔍 Want more from Geraldine? Revisit our earlier episode 🎭 Unmasking Graham Dwyer, where she explains how careful investigative work exposed one of Ireland’s most infamous killers. 

But hornets are just the latest in a long parade of alien gatecrashers. From rhododendrons running wild in the woods, to grey squirrels muscling in on our reds, to coypu lurking in canals, invasive species have been rewriting Ireland’s nature story for centuries. 

Biologist and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna joins Ciara Doherty to separate the myths from the stings. How dangerous are these hornets really? Why do invasive species thrive once they set up shop? And can our native wildlife fight back? 

It’s a conversation that’s part creepy-crawly horror film, part natural history lesson, part call to arms. Because spotting, reporting, and understanding these invaders might be the only way to keep them in check – or, as Éanna puts it, “clobber them” early on! 

🐝 Report your Asian hornet sightings at invasives.ie 
📚 The new edition of Éanna Ní Lamhna’s book, Wild Dublin: Exploring Nature in the City, is published by The O’Brien Press 

And the saga shows no sign of slowing. At a High Court hearing just last week, Mr Justice David Nolan ordered Burke to pay a total of €225,000 in fines for repeatedly breaching a court order directing him to stay away from the school where he once worked. The judge also increased the daily fine to €2,000, after Wilson’s Hospital School applied to have Burke arrested and jailed again for continuing to appear at the campus despite the injunction. 

Suspended in 2022 after row about the school’s request to use a transgender student’s chosen pronouns, Burke’s battle with the school has spiralled into a long-running confrontation with the Irish legal system. He’s been jailed for contempt of court, had his salary and bank accounts seized, and insists his fight is about freedom of religion and free expression. 

So what’s really at the heart of this case - a clash over pronouns and belief, or a challenge to the authority of the courts themselves? How does contempt of court actually work, and why was Burke released from Mountjoy without “purging” that contempt? And when judges suggest a school might need private security to keep someone out, what does that say about the limits of judicial power in practice? 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks with barrister Peter Leonard, co-host of The First Court legal podcast, to explore the Enoch Burke saga from start to the latest developments. From the school gates in Westmeath to the High Court in Dublin, this is a story about the rule of law, the resilience of institutions, and what happens when one man simply refuses to comply. 

🎙️ Peter Leonard – The Fifth Court Podcast: https://www.thefifthcourt.com/ 

The scale of the crackdown is extraordinary. On 7 September 2025, the Metropolitan Police made 890 arrests, 857 of them under anti-terror laws. Peaceful protesters, many older adults in their 60s and 70s, were handcuffed and hauled away. Amnesty observers say the protest was overwhelmingly peaceful, yet Britain’s terror legislation is now being used to silence campaigners. 

The controversy has rattled Westminster. Ministers insist the proscription is justified after Palestine Action caused millions in damage to RAF aircraft. Critics argue it’s a legal overreach that endangers free expression — with Irish novelist Sally Rooney among those warning she could face prosecution simply for voicing support. Meanwhile, Israel’s war in Gaza continues to drive outrage worldwide, with Amnesty accusing Israel of deliberately starving civilians. 

In this episode of the podcast, Ciara Doherty asks: has Britain crossed the line in its policing of protest? What does this mean for civil liberties? And should the Irish government respond? 

Ciara is joined first by Georgina Prodromou, UK Political Editor with Bauer, before speaking to Stephen Bowen, human rights barrister and Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland. Together they explore how anti-terror laws are being applied, what’s at stake in the legal fight to overturn the ban, and what happens when long-standing rights collide with domestic security politics. 

Meanwhile, the county council nomination process is proving just as colourful as the national stage. In Tralee, a whole team of hopefuls lined up to woo councillors in what looked occasionally less like politics and more like theatre. 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s political correspondent Sean Defoe, who’s tracking every twist and turn of the campaign. From party strategy to council-room drama, we break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it tells us about the road ahead in the battle for the presidency. 

Email us your thoughts at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com — we’d love to hear what you make of the race so far. 

Geary, the Mark Pigott Professor of U.S. History at Trinity College Dublin, argues that Trump is concentrating coercive power under a loyal executive, undermining the autonomy of states and local authorities. He points to the firing of senior officials as part of a wider strategy that has weakened civilian agencies essential to public health and scientific research. Universities, too, have been targeted, with Geary warning that Trump’s attacks amount to “McCarthyism on steroids” aimed at destroying higher education as an institution. 

Yet the United States still has pockets of resistance. Geary highlights the courts as the most significant brake on Trump’s agenda, with dozens of legal challenges ongoing. But in Congress, Democratic leaders have been remarkably subdued, leaving many critics stunned at their inability to match the speed and ferocity of the President’s moves. Within the Republican Party, Trump’s personal grip has tightened further: his endorsement all but ensures the success of candidates loyal to him. 

So how close is America to sliding into authoritarianism? Geary has cautioned in the past that, while the US is not yet a fascist society, acting as if it is could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Ciara Doherty is joined by Daniel Geary on today’s podcast to examine whether Trump’s latest actions are a mere extension of presidential power or evidence of democracy under siege. 

Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com with your thoughts on today’s discussion. 

Claire explains why building a standard 150-square-metre home can now set you back at least €500,000, and why that figure doesn’t even include the price of a site, landscaping or furnishing. She looks at the soaring cost of labour, the often-overlooked expenses of servicing a site, and the challenges posed by delays in state funding. 

For families in the Defective Blocks Scheme, the problem is especially acute. According to Claire, many contractors won’t take on rebuilds unless homeowners can show they have €50,000–€60,000 in cash to keep projects moving while waiting for local authorities to release funds. And while there are state supports for building, retrofitting and renovation, navigating them is no easy task. 

This episode connects the personal struggles of homeowners with the wider economic reality of construction in Ireland today – and asks whether building your own front door is slipping further out of reach. 

For more information: 
🏠 Claire Irwin – irwinconsulting.ie 
📊 SCSI – scsi.ie 
🎧 Newstalk Daily: Cracks in the System – The Human and Financial Cost of Ireland’s Defective Block Crisis 

The podcast explores the heartbreaking cases of a boy from Donabate, missing for a number of years, and Kyran Durnin from Drogheda, whose disappearance prompted a murder investigation and whose body has never been found. Fergus Finlay, former head of Barnardos, joins the conversation to explain the systemic challenges in protecting vulnerable children, the delays in reporting to Gardaí, and the disproportionate risks faced by migrant children and unaccompanied minors. 

Fergus explains how state agencies like Tusla track (or fail to track) children and highlights the need for a cross-government approach, more robust data transparency, and improved early warning systems to prevent tragedies from going unnoticed. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty asks what’s really going on. She speaks to Mick Clifford of the Irish Examiner about how far-right groups are trying to hijack Ireland’s most iconic national symbol, and why the tricolour has become the latest battleground in the culture wars. We also hear directly from residents in Ballyfermot about what the flags mean to them, and from the new Garda Commissioner, Justin Kelly, on what authorities can do about it. 

Is this simply patriotism, or is it something more sinister? Has Ireland learned nothing from England’s far-right “Raise the Colours” campaign? And, crucially, can the tricolour be reclaimed as a unifying symbol rather than a divisive one? 

Tell us what you think: email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Mick Clifford is special correspondent for the Irish Examiner. He also presents the Mick Clifford Podcast. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty talks to Robert E. Kelly, professor of international relations at Pusan National University, about what Kim’s rare foreign appearance really means. They explore not just the summit optics — the coordinated display of military power, Xi’s diplomatic showcase, and Putin’s positioning — but also the reality of life under Kim’s rule. Forced labour, concentration camps, famine, and the total sealing-off of North Korea from outside influence paint a grim backdrop to this historic meeting. 

Robert and Ciara dig into how Kim’s background shaped a leader who blends strategic brinkmanship with extreme personal control, and how this character informs both domestic repression and international signalling. Kim’s use of his infamous bulletproof train, his nuclear posture, and his balancing act between Beijing and Moscow all reflect a ruler keenly aware of both danger and opportunity. 

The discussion examines how Xi is using this gathering to assert China’s rising influence, how Kim projects independence and legitimacy, and why the West should pay close attention to the emergence of what some analysts are calling an authoritarian axis. 
 
For more episodes like this, visit newstalk.com or the GoLoud player. Questions or reactions? Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

In this podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly to explore the modern classroom, where innovation and inequality sit side by side. They discuss everything from the rise of interactive learning apps and AI assistants, to the old worries about screen-time, costs and distraction. Along the way, they examine the digital divide that continues to leave some students behind. 

Ciara and Jess also look at the legacy of the pandemic, the controversy over phone pouches, the promises and pitfalls of AI in schools, and concerns about data privacy. And as the school year begins, Jess offers her take on what parents, teachers and students should keep in mind to make technology work for — not against — education. 

Listen to Jess every Saturday evening at 5 on Tech Talk on Newstalk, or catch up anytime on the GoLoud player. 

Meanwhile, historian Andrew Lownie has just published Entitled, a portrait of Andrew as arrogant, reckless, and humiliated, with claims from hundreds of sources painting a man trapped in disgrace.  

From self-imposed exile across the Atlantic, Meghan Markle – wife of Prince Harry – is back on Netflix with With Love, Meghan, and reflecting in publicity interviews on her departure from royal life. Veteran royal reporter Richard Palmer joins Ciara Doherty to explore what these parallel narratives reveal about the monarchy’s relationship to reputation, exile, and control. 

👉 Watch Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series With Love, Meghan here: Netflix link 
👉 Read more on Andrew Lownie’s Entitled here: Andrew Lownie’s official site 

Follow Richard Palmer on X for the latest royal updates: @RoyalReporter 

In this episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty talks to Paul, who combines the perspective of a scientist and a homeowner. He's been at the forefront of research that has rewritten the understanding of Ireland’s defective blocks, showing that pyrrhotite — not mica, as originally thought — is the primary culprit behind the crumbling concrete in Donegal homes. Paul explains how these findings highlight the gaps between scientific evidence and outdated government standards. 

Beyond the science, Paul discusses the profound psychological impact of the crisis, not just on himself but on the thousands of families caught in temporary accommodation, facing debt, uncertainty, and a seemingly endless wait for proper redress. The government’s revised scheme has raised grant caps and extended timelines, but critics argue it still falls short of covering full rebuild costs. Paul reflects on the long road ahead, the frustration of being forced to fight both bureaucracy and public misunderstanding, and the hope that evidence-based solutions can finally provide justice for affected families. 

Ciara Doherty admits she was hooked from the very beginning, and in our original podcast listen back here, she explained why she couldn’t look away. Today, she returns to the case with Irish journalist Aisling Moloney, reporting from Australia, to unpack the stunning new details that have finally come to light. 

From allegations that Patterson tried to poison her estranged husband with pasta, curry and even cookies, to the devastating victim impact statements at this week’s pre-sentencing hearing at the Victoria Supreme Court, Ciara and Aisling take listeners through the chilling twists the jury never heard, the extraordinary public reaction, and what happens next when Patterson returns to court for sentencing. 

📧 Have thoughts on today’s episode? Email us: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Ciara is joined by Anna Uí Dhálaigh, who, together with her husband Peadar, has been homeschooling their three children in Ireland for several years. Anna explains how her family approaches unschooling, why they chose to step away from conventional schools, and what home education means in practice - from creative writing at the kitchen table to gymnastics, reading and sports. 

In this podcast we tackle some of the biggest questions parents have: 

– Is homeschooling regulated in Ireland, and how are children assessed? 

– Do homeschooled kids become socially isolated, or do they thrive in new ways? 

– What are the financial and logistical challenges of home education? 

Anna also works with the Home Education Network (HEN Ireland), supporting other families who want to explore homeschooling. You can find more at henireland.org. 

We’d love to hear from you — are you considering home education in Ireland, or do you have your own homeschooling story to share? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

In this episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by Dorian Lynskey, co-presenter of the Origin Story podcast and author of Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World, to dissect Badenoch’s leadership, her political narrative, and the challenges facing a party in crisis. 

Following the Conservative Party’s historic defeat last year, Badenoch was seen as the combative, straight-talking figure who could reconnect with the grassroots. She promised national revival, pushed an anti-establishment, anti-“woke” agenda, and projected toughness — but nine months on, the party is still losing councillors, defecting members are swelling the ranks of the Reform Party, and polls put her far behind Labour and Reform. 

Dorian and Ciara examine how Badenoch has crafted her story, from presenting herself as a truth-teller to the grassroots to leveraging her identity as a Black British woman in a conservative, culture-war context. They explore the gulf between performance and policy, the lack of clear strategy or new ideas, and the pitfalls of focusing on media gestures over governance. 

From her controversial statements about Nigeria to her disastrous performances against Keir Starmer at PMQs, Badenoch’s leadership raises questions about character-driven politics, populist positioning, and the ways in which modern conservatism balances ideology, identity, and spectacle. 

Listen in to understand why Kemi Badenoch has struggled to convert media presence into political traction, what her leadership says about the Conservative Party today, and whether she has the profile and strategy to appeal beyond her party’s right-wing base. 

Search for Origin Story wherever you get your podcasts to hear Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt explore the real stories behind the most misunderstood and abused ideas in politics. 

In this episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty speaks with Adam Daly, a researcher at Dublin City University and one of only three people worldwide studying therapeutic tattooing. Adam’s work explores how cancer survivors use tattoos as tools for healing, self-expression, and empowerment. The stories he shares are both moving and strikingly creative. 

Adam himself has used tattoos to shape his own identity. Growing up in a DEIS school, he began inking his body as a teenager entering third-level education, adopting a persona that helped project confidence. His first tattoo was a small beating heart on his bicep, which moves when he flexes. Over time, his ink evolved from cartoon-like designs to more naturalistic floral motifs, each piece representing growth, change, and self-expression. 

Through interviews with survivors and tattoo artists, Adam explains how tattoos can be reconstructive or decorative. Reconstructive tattoos, like 3D nipple tattoos post-mastectomy, restore body confidence and intimacy. Decorative tattoos, meanwhile, range from symbolic ribbons and dragons to eye-roll emojis, bicycles, hearts, and even a striking zipper revealing part of the brain to mark a tumour’s removal. Survivors describe how these designs help improve body image, return a sense of control, and even reignite feelings of confidence and sexiness. One woman chose a tattoo of a gun firing at the exact spot where her tumour had been, boldly reclaiming her body. 

Adam likens our bodies to picture books — and therapeutic tattooing as the act of turning the page. The ink becomes a visual narrative, a way for survivors to write new chapters in their lives after cancer. 

With warmth, curiosity, and humour, the podcast explores the broader cultural conversation around tattoos, discussing why society often misunderstands them. Far from rebellion, these tattoos are acts of restoration, resilience, and reclamation. 

Listen now for a deeply personal, moving exploration of how ink can help survivors reclaim their bodies, rewrite their stories, and carry forward their identities - one tattoo at a time. 

Noel O’Callaghan, the businessman who began building the O’Callaghan Collection in the 1980s, claims he has been frozen out by his two sons, Paul and Charles. In court filings he alleges his salary was cut off, his credit card cancelled and his access to key assets blocked. At the centre of the row are luxury hotels, multimillion-euro property deals, a bloodstock stud farm and even a Dublin penthouse apartment. 

Paul and Charles O’Callaghan, however, say their father divested most of his interests years ago and now holds only voting rights. They dispute the validity of documents he relies upon and reject his claims over assets ranging from the €28 million Archer’s Garage development to Mountarmstrong Stud in Tipperary. The case has already seen allegations of political interference, frustrated asylum centre plans, and contested shareholder agreements. 

It is an extraordinary dispute in part because of the family’s traditionally low profile. For decades, the O’Callaghans built and ran a discreet business empire with little public exposure. Now, their most private disagreements are before the Commercial Court, with Noel O’Callaghan seeking declarations of ownership, damages in excess of €1 million, and the restoration of his rights within the business. 

Today on Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by Catherine Sanz, Legal Affairs Editor of the Business Post, to examine the filings in detail. They explore what’s at stake for the O’Callaghan family, how the dispute has unfolded, and why it matters for Irish business and succession law. With echoes of Succession, the hit HBO series about another family at war over a corporate empire, this is a real-world story of legacy, power and control. 

The case has been admitted to the Commercial Court list and is due back before the High Court in November, following failed mediation attempts. Until then, the O’Callaghans remain locked in a battle that could reshape their business interests and family ties alike. 

Listen to the podcast now to hear Ciara and Catherine break down one of the most dramatic business disputes in recent Irish history. 

Are millennials and Gen Z staring down a future of renting into retirement? Could Ireland be heading for its own “intergenerational apartheid”? And what does it mean for social cohesion if young people see stability as permanently out of reach while older generations defend vast reserves of housing wealth? 

With emigration once again rising, rents spiralling and half a million adults still living with their parents, Sean and Barra look at whether this generational divide is sustainable — and what might finally shift the dial. 

We’d love to hear from you: do you think Ireland’s younger generations have been locked out of wealth forever, or is there a way back? Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com with your thoughts. 

In the second podcast of our special fifth-anniversary series, Sean Defoe continues the conversation with Aoife Moore and Paul Hosford, the reporters who broke the original story. Together they trace the extraordinary fallout of Golfgate, beginning with Dara Calleary’s resignation as Minister for Agriculture within 24 hours of publication. They explore how the scandal swiftly engulfed EU Commissioner Phil Hogan, whose shifting accounts and combative approach only deepened the controversy, culminating in his forced resignation. 

The discussion moves through the institutional reverberations, from discussions around Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe to the Galway District Court trial of four organisers, which culminated in their ultimate acquittal in 2022. Archive clips from RTÉ, Newstalk, Euronews, Virgin Media and the Irish Examiner chart how coverage dominated headlines for weeks, feeding a narrative of hypocrisy and hubris among Ireland’s political class. 

The episode also looks at the broader lessons: what Golfgate revealed about elite groupthink, the psychology of power, and the limits of public tolerance during crisis. Did it change Irish politics in a lasting way, or was it a scandal that burned hot and faded with the pandemic? Aoife and Paul reflect on the personal impact of the scoop, the scrutiny their reporting faced, and the surprising consequences that linger five years later. 

“Fallout” is the concluding part of our Golfgate anniversary special, a story that remains one of the defining moments of Ireland’s Covid-19 era and a reminder of how quickly public anger can reshape political careers. 

📺 This episode concludes our two-part special on Golfgate. You can listen back to Part 1 — “Anatomy of a Scoop” — now on Newstalk.com and the GoLoud player. 

📰 Paul Hosford is Acting Political Editor of the Irish Examiner. Follow his reporting at irishexaminer.com. 

🎙️ Aoife Moore co-hosts the podcast A Few Scoops with Colm O’Regan, available on GoLoud. 

📧 Share your thoughts on Golfgate and its legacy by emailing us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

In this first podcast of a special two-part Newstalk Daily series, Sean Defoe is joined by the journalists who broke the story for the Irish Examiner, Aoife Moore and Paul Hosford. Together they revisit the atmosphere of mid-August 2020, recalling how rules were changing almost daily, how public trust in restrictions was fraying, and how political reporters themselves were navigating a world of remote work and constant disruption. 

With archive recordings from the time, they describe what was happening inside the Station House Hotel, the seating plan that divided the room, and how word of the dinner first reached the newsroom. We hear how tips were verified, how the guest list — from ministers like Dara Calleary to judges to EU Commissioner Phil Hogan — shaped the urgency of the story, and how two reporters raced to publish before others who had also heard whispers of the event. 

“Anatomy of a Scoop” takes us right up to the night of August 20th 2020, as Aoife and Paul pressed publish and went to bed, unaware of the political firestorm that would follow the next morning. 

🔜 **Part 2 of this series — “Fallout” — will be available tomorrow on Newstalk.com and via the GoLoud player. 

📰 Paul Hosford is Acting Political Editor of the Irish Examiner. You can follow his reporting at irishexaminer.com. 

🎙️ Aoife Moore co-hosts the podcast A Few Scoops with Colm O’Regan, available now on GoLoud. 

📧 We’d love to hear your reaction — email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com. 

Today, Sean Defoe is joined by Newstalk Chief Correspondent Barry Whyte, who’s been out on the road – and over the border – with our Newstalk grocery basket. From supermarkets in Dundalk and Dublin to the aisles of Asda in Newry, Barry’s been price-checking 25 everyday items, from milk, butter, cheddar cheese, fresh cod fillets, diced beef, chicken, pasta and vegetables to nappies, baby formula, washing up powder, shower gel, Coke Zero and even a bottle of prosecco.  

The results? Let’s just say there’s one figure that will stick in your mind: €40. Barry reveals why a basket costing €155.50 in Dunnes Stores and €151.20 in Tesco comes in at just €107.54 in Asda – even before factoring in loyalty card savings. 

We also hear from shoppers on both sides of the border about how they’re coping with soaring prices, and from economist Austin Hughes on why inflation isn’t going anywhere soon. And along the way, Sean and Barry swap personal perspectives on where they shop, why loyalty schemes and vouchers matter, and whether cross-border savings are really worth the trip for most of us. 

If you missed the first part of this conversation from July 28th, you can find it in our archive on the GoLoud app or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Have you noticed a big difference between shopping in the Republic and the North? Are you making the trip to save on your weekly shop – or have you decided it’s not worth it? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com and join the conversation. 

Sean Defoe isn’t convinced that flinging open the ballot to the world’s Irish is the best idea. But for broadcaster and writer Paddy Duffy, speaking from his home in Scotland, the exclusion is a glaring contradiction. How can a role meant to symbolise unity ignore millions who still fly the flag from abroad? And why can a Polish or Brazilian citizen in Ireland vote for their own president overseas, while an Irish citizen in Newry or New York can’t? 

The discussion weighs the ideals against the realities: could diaspora voting dilute the voice of those living here? Would the numbers abroad even bother to show up? Or is this less about turnout and more about identity and inclusion? Throughout the podcast Paddy makes the case for change, while Sean probes whether the cost, complexity, and potential unintended consequences are worth it. 

It’s a conversation about belonging, representation, and who really gets to define Irishness in the 21st century. 

What do you think? Should emigrants have a say in choosing Ireland’s president? Email your views to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com and join the debate. 

Shona’s been inside more summits than most of us have had hot dinners, and she lifts the lid on the choreography of these meetings, from the rigid protocol to the poker-faced bluffing and occasional curveball moments. Together, Sean and Shona explore Trump’s unpredictable, often theatrical approach to diplomacy, Putin’s cooler, more controlled style, and how those personalities collide when the cameras roll and the microphones click on. 

They examine why Alaska may have been chosen as a meeting point - a location far from European influence, raising questions about whether Ukraine is being nudged to the sidelines. With Zelenskyy absent from the table, the conversation turns to the implications for Ukrainian sovereignty, the possibility of territorial compromises, and the mood in Brussels as EU leaders try to present a united front. 

The discussion also reaches back to Trump and Putin’s explosive Helsinki summit in 2018 to draw lessons for what we might see this time around. From the role of body language to the importance of what’s left unsaid in official statements, Sean and Shona map out the signs to watch for that might signal either a breakthrough or another round of geopolitical theatre. 

With insights from Shona’s reporting across NATO, EU summits and Ukraine, this episode of Newstalk Daily takes you from the conference table to the corridors of power — and into the heart of the global chess game about to unfold in Alaska. 

Thirteen years on from the Olympic gold medal in London that changed Irish sport forever, Taylor’s story continues to evolve – and that evolution that was on full display against Serrano. Yet questions remain. Could she be tempted into a third meeting with Chantelle Cameron, the only fighter to have beaten her as a professional? Will promoter Eddie Hearn finally deliver the Croke Park spectacle Pete Taylor has long called for? Or will she choose to bow out quietly, leaving her legacy untarnished? 

In this episode of the podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Off The Ball’s Eoin Sheahan, who has interviewed Taylor and covered her career from Bray to the bright lights of New York. Together, they explore her evolution in the ring, the faith and privacy that define her outside it, and the impact she’s had on women’s boxing in Ireland and around the world. 

Have your say on Katie’s next move by emailing newstalkdaily@newstalk.com — and you can find more of Eoin’s coverage of Irish sport at offtheball.com. 

For this podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks with Business Post senior journalist Killian Woods, who has been following the money through the network of contracts and payments that underpin Ireland’s refugee housing market. They examine the extraordinary sums paid to companies such as Cape Wrath Hotel Unlimited (owners of Citywest) which has received over €195 million since 2022; Tifco Group, operators of Holiday Inn and Travelodge properties; and Brimwood Ltd, run by Séamus “Banty” McEnaney and his family, whose businesses have taken in more than €200 million since 2018 through State accommodation deals. Along the way, they discuss the purchase of Citywest Hotel, the rapid expansion of emergency accommodation, and the opaque world of unlimited companies that do not publish profit figures. 

The conversation also explores why protests and community opposition have intensified around new IPAS centres, how political choices are shaping the balance between private contracts and state-owned housing, and whether Ireland is stuck in a cycle of short-term crisis management rather than building a sustainable, transparent system. 

If you have views on the issues raised in this episode — from value for money to accountability in refugee housing — Ciara wants to hear from you. Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com and join the debate. 

In this episode, Ciara Doherty dives into the cultural fascination with celebrity couples we want to be real - whether or not they actually are. What is it about Pam and Liam that has us collectively rooting for their romance, without a shred of official confirmation? What makes them such an oddly perfect pairing in the public imagination? And what does that say about us? 

Ciara is joined by pop culture connoisseur Sarina Bellissimo to unpack it all—from Pamela Anderson’s remarkable evolution from ‘90s bombshell to feminist icon, to Liam Neeson’s transformation from intense dramatic actor to action hero to, now, comedy lead in the upcoming Naked Gun reboot. Together, they explore why these two stars, with their private lives, past heartbreaks, and quiet strength, have become the subjects of a kind of wishful cultural matchmaking. 

They also reflect on how Pamela Anderson has reclaimed her narrative through her critically acclaimed Netflix documentary and memoir, and how her recent red carpet appearance - bare-faced, natural, radiant - sparked a global conversation about ageing, authenticity, and the changing role of women in Hollywood. Liam’s enduring appeal is also under the microscope: his humility, his grief, his strength—and why so many fans yearn to see him find joy again. 

Also in this episode: 
– The early days of Pamela’s fame and the global phenomenon of Baywatch 
– The tabloid era that tried to reduce her to a caricature 
– Her modern-day renaissance with The Last Showgirl and Naked Gun 
– The psychology behind our obsession with celebrity couples 
– Why imagining certain romances brings us hope, not just gossip 
– What makes a famous pairing “click” with the public 

Whether Liam and Pamela are truly Hollywood’s next great couple or simply the fantasy pairing of the year, Ciara and Sarina explore what their story - real or imagined - says about resilience, reinvention, and how we project our hopes onto the lives of stars we feel we know. 
 
Follow Sarina on Instagram @sarinabellissimo, and subscribe now to Newstalk Daily for fresh, smart takes on the stories lighting up our timelines and headlines - Monday to Friday, every morning in your feed. 

In this episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by international correspondent and broadcaster Colm Flynn to explore a surprising trend: a growing number of young people - especially within Gen Z - are re-engaging with religion, spirituality, and Catholicism itself. Just last weekend, more than a million young people joined Pope Leo for a mass as part of the Jubilee of Youth. The podcast draws on a range of recent polling findings, as well as Colm’s personal reflection published in the New York Post which describes what he’s witnessing among young people from Dublin to Lagos. 

The conversation digs into whether we’re seeing a new kind of faith practice emerging - one that’s digital, deeply personal, and far removed from the traditional Irish Church of old. From prayer apps and online pilgrimages to public meetings and quiet moments of reconnection, this generation isn’t necessarily returning to pews - but they ARE asking bigger questions about meaning, morality, and belief. 

Ciara and Colm also reflect on how the Church has tried to speak to younger audiences, especially via social media. They look at the impact of Pope Leo’s early efforts to connect with youth and ask whether time has created emotional distance between Gen Z and the legacy of abuse that so deeply damaged the Church’s credibility. 

Is this the start of a revival — or just a more open, questioning, and flexible kind of faith? And is it sustainable? 

Follow Colm Flynn on X @colmflynnire to keep up with his reporting from around the world.

As global momentum builds behind the recognition of Palestinian statehood, and with the UN General Assembly meeting just weeks away, the question of when and how a people or place becomes a state has never felt more urgent. 

Today on Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty talks to Dr Gëzim Visoka, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Dublin City University. Gëzim brings not only academic expertise — he's authored over a dozen books on the subject — but also a deeply personal perspective. He’s from Kosovo, one of the world’s most diplomatically contested new states. 

Together, they unpack why countries like France and Canada are moving now to recognise Palestine, what this could mean for September’s General Assembly, and how recognition can be both a powerful diplomatic tool and a deeply symbolic act. 

The podcast explores whether statehood is about borders and governance, or legitimacy and moral force. Ciara and Gëzim look back at Kosovo, Croatia, and Taiwan — and forward to the potential ripple effects of recognising Palestine too early… or too late. 

This episode asks hard questions about power, politics, principle - and what it takes to be seen, accepted, and respected on the international stage. 

🔗 Follow Dr Gëzim Visoka on X: @GezimVisoka 

In this podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Dr John McCormick, specialist at Vasectomy Ireland, to tackle everything you thought you knew about vasectomies, from the level of pain involved to whether it really kills your sex drive (spoiler: it doesn’t). 

They talk recovery time, reversal myths, testosterone, Catholic guilt, and the part that pre-procedure manscaping plays in vasectomy hesitancy. Ciara plays a clip of Ivan Yates declaring his fear that “a slip of the snip could cause chaos down there” - a view that echoes the squeamishness and suspicion many Irish men still express when it comes to male contraception. 

And with breakthroughs in non-hormonal male contraceptive pills and implants now entering human trials, could we finally be seeing a shift in how male contraception is shared, understood, and delivered? 
 
📍For more on Dr John McCormick’s work, visit vasectomyireland.ie 

📩 Have thoughts or questions about male contraception? Share your story with Ciara at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Ciara Doherty and Jess Kelly dive into the murky world of dynamic pricing, non-transferable tickets, and the tech behind your next night at Croke Park. From Oasis and Ed Sheeran to Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Kate Bush, they share their own gig memories and ticket-buying experiences while asking why some fans are being charged €400+ for standing tickets... and others are locked out altogether. 

Are bots to blame? Why are artists like Neil Young, The Cure and Robbie Williams taking a stand against it? Is there a fairer way forward — or are we stuck in the algorithm? 

From shady resale sites to new laws and secret pricing tools, this podcast unpacks how the ticketing game changed — and whether fans still stand a chance. 

🎧 Want more on the tech shaping your world? Catch Jess Kelly on Tech Talk, Saturdays at 5pm on Newstalk — or anytime on the GoLoud app. 

📩 Have your own ticket-buying horror story — or a tip to beat the bots? Ciara wants to hear from you! Email newstalkdaily@newstalk.com and share your experience. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by economist and broadcaster Susan Hayes Culleton, host of Taking Stock, to unpack the extraordinary rise of Ozempic - and what the crash in the share price of its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, tells us about hype, health and high finance in 2025. 

From its roots as a diabetes drug to becoming the go-to injection for rapid weight loss, Ozempic’s journey has captured the imagination of social media and Silicon Valley alike. But behind the celebrity endorsements and TikTok trends lies a much bigger story about economic risk, national dependence on pharma exports, and shifting public attitudes toward obesity, body image and medical intervention. 

Susan and Ciara explore how Denmark, now heavily reliant on one company for a chunk of its GDP, may be facing a post-Covid Belgium-style reckoning. They examine the fierce rivalry with Eli Lilly — whose own blockbuster drug, Mounjaro, is being manufactured in Ireland — and what it all means for our own pharma-heavy economy. With Donald Trump occasionally threatening tariffs of up to 200% on medicines made in Europe, the conversation also turns to trade, investment and the future of Irish jobs in the pharmaceutical sector. 

And with innovation in GLP-1 drugs accelerating, a growing black market for weight-loss medication, and global health systems bracing for the long-term impact, one thing is clear: the Ozempic economy is only just getting started. 

To hear more from Susan on the intersection of global markets, policy, business and innovation, listen back to Taking Stock every Sunday morning at 9am on Newstalk, or catch up anytime on the GoLoud player. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk reporter Jessica Woodlock, who has obtained detailed case data through Freedom of Information laws. Together, they examine why so many allegations of rape, sexual assault and other sex-based crimes never make it to court in Ireland. 

Drawing on newly released figures, the episode explores the DPP’s decision-making process, the role of evidence, and the real-world impact of being told that your case won’t proceed to prosecution. Listeners hear from rape survivor Ciara Mangan, who shares her powerful story of trauma and justice, a decade in the making. 

Senior Counsel Lorcan Staines also contributes legal insight, including how evidence is weighed in sex crime cases, and why the conviction rate – once a prosecution goes ahead – is actually very high. 

Executive Director of Rape Crisis Ireland Cliona Sadlier offers reaction from frontline services, as questions grow around whether the criminal justice system is adequately serving survivors of sexual violence. 

The episode also looks at efforts to improve prosecution rates, what types of cases are reaching the courts, and whether changes in legislation and social attitudes are making a difference. 

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues discussed, please contact the Rape Crisis Centre National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 88 88, or visit rapecrisishelp.ie. 

Northern Ireland now has the second-highest rate of women being killed by men in Europe. The numbers are stark: since 2020, 28 women have died violently at the hands of men in the North, according to figures collected by Women’s Aid. And while the headlines shock, they rarely explain why this is happening — or what can be done to stop it. 

Ciara Doherty speaks to Tahnee McCorry, CEO of White Ribbon NI, an organisation working to prevent violence against women and girls. Together, they discuss what lies behind these horrifying statistics: a toxic mix of domestic violence, underfunded mental health care, post-conflict trauma, coercive control, and cultural silence. 

The podcast outlines how the vast majority of women killed knew their attacker — often a current or former partner — and that 21 of the 24 women murdered in Northern Ireland between 2020 and 2024 died in their own homes. Tahnee explains why we must start prevention early, how programs like Listen, Learn, Lead are making a difference, and why it’s time men stepped up to say: enough. 

We also hear about the new Ending Violence Against Women and Girls strategy from the Northern Ireland Executive — and why, despite the welcome words, activists say it’s woefully underfunded. 

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, support is available. 

Contact the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline — available 24/7 — on 1800 341 900 or email helpline@womensaid.ie. 

From a viral TikTok dance challenge to a headline-grabbing Glastonbury performance, CMAT is the name on everyone’s lips this summer. This weekend, she’s back on home soil for a major set at All Together Now in Curraghmore, Co. Waterford. 

In today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty dives deep into the world of Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson — aka CMAT — with two people who know her work best: broadcaster and superfan Áine Kerr, and Molly King from Other Voices, one of the first to showcase CMAT’s unique talent on Irish TV. 

The conversation explores the evolution of CMAT’s music - part country-pop, part political confessional - her viral rise on TikTok with the “Woke Macarena”, her bold stance on body image and Irish identity, and the controversy surrounding her new single “Euro-Country.” We also unpack the deeper themes behind her lyrics, including personal reflections on the Irish economic crash and its mental health legacy. 

With her latest single taking aim at former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and a third album on the way, CMAT is proving that pop music can still pack a punch — and speak truth to power. 

If you're heading to All Together Now this weekend, make sure to catch CMAT live — and visit the Go Loud Lounge, where Newstalk will be hosting games, interviews and pop-up shows all weekend long. 

👉 Find out more about Newstalk at All Together Now 
📸 Follow us on Instagram 
🎵 Catch behind-the-scenes moments on TikTok 

To unpack the facts and explore practical solutions, Ciara is joined by two expert voices. First up is consumer affairs journalist Sinead Ryan, who outlines why Irish shoppers are facing such punishing prices. From climate disruptions and soaring transport costs to high VAT and energy bills, the cost pressures are complex – but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. 

Sinead shares her belief that Irish consumers are being “ripped off”, referencing startling data showing price differences across Europe. She also explains how supermarkets here often exploit what's known as "price elasticity" – in simple terms, charging more because they know they can. 

Later in the episode, Ciara speaks to retail expert Damian O’Reilly from TU Dublin, who gives a different perspective. While Minister Alan Dillon has called for an investigation into grocery market competition – and wants to see more international chains like ASDA or Carrefour enter the Irish market – Damian argues that we already have a wide choice of retailers, and that inviting in mega-stores could decimate our indigenous grocery economy. 

The discussion is full of consumer takeaways: What can you expect in terms of price relief? Is more competition really the answer? And how might changes to retail planning laws impact where and how you shop in future? 

🛒 You can hear more from Sinead on The Home Show on Newstalk every Saturday morning from 8am – or listen back anytime on the GoLoud app. 

💬 We want to hear from you: 
Do you feel you’re being overcharged at the supermarket? What changes would you like to see? 
Email Ciara at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com and share your food shop stories, frustrations, or tips for saving. 

Ciara, who fondly recalls growing up in a household where wrestling dominated the TV and sibling rivalries were settled with figure-four leg locks, clothes-lines, and the occasional pile-driver, leads a conversation that’s equal parts nostalgic, insightful, and unflinching. 

Joining her is actor, writer, and wrestling commentator Aonghus Óg McAnally – a man who not only grew up idolising Hulk Hogan, but who also trained as a wrestler in the early days of Ireland’s independent wrestling scene. He’s now the voice of OTT Wrestling, Ireland’s premier wrestling promotion. 

Together, they explore how Hogan – born Terry Bollea – became a superhero for an entire generation of children, with his trademark charisma, red-and-yellow ring gear, and unforgettable entrance theme. They reflect on his seismic impact on wrestling’s rise from fringe entertainment to billion-dollar spectacle, his partnership with Vince McMahon, and his pivotal role in launching the modern WWE brand. 

But the episode doesn’t shy away from controversy. Hogan’s return to the ring in the 90s as a villain in WCW’s New World Order, his leaked sex tape, his use of a racial slur, and his vocal support of Donald Trump all come under scrutiny. Aonghus Óg explains how Hogan's anti-union stance may have deprived wrestlers of basic protections, and why his legacy is as fraught as it is legendary. 

The conversation also turns local, as Aonghus sheds light on Ireland’s vibrant independent wrestling scene. He talks about his own journey from fan to trainee to commentator, and highlights Ireland’s global wrestling success stories – like Sheamus, Becky Lynch, and Finn Bálor – all of whom took their first steps in promotions like OTT Wrestling. 

Whether you’re a lifelong wrestling fan or just curious about one of pop culture’s most iconic – and polarising – figures, this podcast offers a gripping look at Hulk Hogan’s towering influence, the evolution of wrestling, and why the Irish wrestling scene continues to punch above its weight. 

On this edition of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by Dr Clodagh Harrington, American politics lecturer at University College Cork and host of the Chicken in Every Pot podcast, along with Glasgow-based writer and documentary producer Paddy Duffy. Together, they take a dive deep into the explosive reports published in the Wall Street Journal and aired by CNN that link Trump’s name directly to the so-called Epstein Files. 

The podcast explores why this story is reigniting long-standing questions about Trump’s past associations with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and how the issue is landing with the MAGA faithful — a movement already showing signs of internal division. They also unpack the strategic response from figures inside Trump’s administration, examining efforts to manage public perception and media focus amid rising scrutiny. 

Paddy offers insight from Scotland on the local reaction to Trump's visit and reflects on the broader implications for Trump’s image internationally and his lasting legacy at home. 

🔗 To hear more from Dr Clodagh Harrington, follow her on X @Dr_Clodagh where she shares her latest analysis and podcast episodes. 

📧 Have something to say about this podcast? Get in touch at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com — we welcome your thoughts. 

For today's podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by veteran religious affairs correspondent Patsy McGarry to revisit that extraordinary summer and explore what it revealed about Ireland’s psyche in the 1980s. They reflect on the powerful religious climate of the time - marked by high Mass attendance and strong deference to Church authority - and the cautious, sometimes dismissive response of the Catholic hierarchy to the Ballinspittle sightings. They also consider the deeper shifts that have taken place in the decades since: the collapse in trust following clerical abuse scandals, the declining influence of Church leadership, and the emergence of a more secular, questioning Irish identity.

As they look back on Ballinspittle and forward to Ireland today, they ask: are we still a nation of faith, or have we truly become a secular country?

Patsy McGarry is the author of Well, Holy God: My Life as an Irish, Catholic, Agnostic Correspondent, a memoir tracing his decades-long career reporting on religion, doubt, and the changing soul of Ireland. It's published by Irish Academic Press.

📧 Email the show at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

Ciara is joined by Elaine Burke, tech journalist and host of For Tech’s Sake, and Fergal McCarthy, chief pilot with Drone Services Ireland, to unpack Ireland’s evolving relationship with drone technology.

Together they discuss the incredible potential drones offer — like transporting blood and organs, surveying dangerous environments, or slashing road closure times during urban construction — alongside the growing public unease, especially in urban areas like Dublin where drone delivery trials have faced pushback.

This episode also breaks down Ireland’s current drone laws, where the regulatory gaps lie, how privacy issues are being handled (or not), and what smarter oversight might look like in the near future.

From tech utopia to legal grey zones, this is your all-access pass to the future of Ireland’s skies.

🔗 Follow the Guests
🎧 @ForTechsSakePod — Elaine Burke’s tech podcast on X
🛠️ droneservicesireland.ie — Fergal McCarthy’s drone consultancy and operations

✉️ Got a drone story to share?

Maybe a close encounter or a delivery experience? Ciara wants to hear it — drop her a line at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

It’s a huge number. But is it a real plan... or just another political promise?

Today on Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty takes a closer look at the updated National Development Plan — and asks whether this time will really be any different.

Because if Irish history teaches us anything, it’s that big ambitions tend to run into even bigger problems. Plans stall. Costs spiral. Economies wobble. And projects are quietly shelved, scaled back, or simply forgotten.

With Political Correspondent Sean Defoe, the podcast revisits some of the state's most high-profile infrastructure promises from the past two decades — from Transport 21 and the National Spatial Strategy, to decentralisation and the infamous ‘Bertie Bowl’ — to see what was promised, what actually got built, and what lessons we keep failing to learn.

And just as this new €200 billion plan is unveiled, a transatlantic threat looms: US President Donald Trump’s promise of a 30 per cent tariff on EU goods — a move that could hit the Irish economy hard and throw even the most carefully costed projects into doubt.

📧 Email the podcast at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Ciara and Ross unpack how this fake news took root online, the legal fallout it’s triggered, and how a recent appeals court ruling has once again brought the story into the headlines. They explore how the theory has been amplified by the American alt-right, including figures like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, and examine the wider implications when digital disinformation crosses into real-world consequences.

They also delve into the media’s fascination with Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron’s relationship—from the conspiracy theories to the constant scrutiny of their body language and the age-gap romance that first caught the world’s attention.

This podcast is a case study in how falsehoods spread, stick, and spiral—and what happens when personal lives become public battlegrounds in the era of viral misinformation.

What begins as an online lie can shape real reputations, fuel political narratives, and lead all the way to the courtroom.

📧 Email the show at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

In today’s episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by Sinéad O’Carroll, camogie veteran and editor of thejournal.ie and Paul Rouse, professor of history at UCD and former Offaly football manager, to talk all things GAA.

They dive into the ticket frenzy, the deep-rooted county rivalries, the origin stories of our Gaelic games, and why Croke Park on All-Ireland Sunday is more than just a stadium.

But this conversation isn’t just for the GAA faithful. Paul and Sinéad reflect on their own experiences of playing sport, and on the deep connection between Irish identity and place — the role of the local club, the parish, and community in shaping who we are.

The panel also debates one of the great Irish sporting questions — which is better: hurling or football? And looking ahead to next weekend's All-Ireland football final, they discuss some of the standout personalities on and off the pitch — especially Donegal manager Jim McGuinness and Kerry’s David Clifford.

Whether you're shouting for Tipperary or Cork in the hurling, or backing Donegal or Kerry in the football, or just curious about why these games matter so much — this episode has something for you.

Want more from Paul and Sinéad? They'll be appearing at the Galway International Arts Festival tomorrow afternoon for a public talk entitled “Double-Edged Sword,” alongside Ciarán Murphy — a discussion on the GAA’s future in a rapidly changing Ireland. More details at giaf.ie

📧 Email the podcast at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

On Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by Niall Sargent, current affairs correspondent with The Currency, to unpack the background to the legal showdown between racing tycoon John Magnier and multi-millionaire developer Maurice Regan. 

In this podcast, we explore the rise to fame and wealth of Magnier and Regan, the vast land, bloodstock and business empires they’ve built, and the disputed €22.5 million sale of the Barne Estate in Clonmel, county Tipperary. The interview also looks at how handshake deals, offshore trusts and court injunctions are shaping the case—and examines the growing pressure on local communities as deep-pocketed buyers drive up land prices. 

A story of power, legacy, rural Ireland —and a rising tide of land consolidation. 

📰 You can read more of Niall Sargent’s reporting on thecurrency.news 

 📩 Got thoughts on this story? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

On today’s episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty explores how the death of one young boy who took his own life was recorded, and why Sinn Féin is calling for a change to the Coroner’s Act of 1962. 

Stephanie McGill-Lynch lost her 14-year-old son Jake to suicide in 2013. His inquest concluded with an open verdict, leaving his family without the full recognition they believe was needed. Now, Stephanie is campaigning for Jake’s Amendment — a proposed legal change that would allow coroners to cite iatrogenic factors (relating to medical treatment) as a cause of death where appropriate. 

Ciara is joined by Stephanie and Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward, who explains the party’s legislative proposal and its potential impact on families and future inquests. Together, they discuss the challenges families face following the death of a loved one to suicide, the limitations of the current legal framework, and why Stephanie believes that acknowledging iatrogenic loss is a vital part of justice and healing. 

If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in this episode, help is available: 

Call the HSE Mental Health Information Line free, 24/7, on 1800 111 888, or text HELLO to 50808 to speak anonymously with a trained volunteer at any time. 

Last week, the Red Bull Racing team principal, reality TV personality, and Formula 1 power broker was sensationally sacked after two decades at the top of the sport. But why now? And what does this shock move reveal about the power struggles, internal politics and off-track pressure at the heart of modern Formula 1?

In this episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty takes a deep dive into the world of F1 alongside two leading motorsport journalists. The podcast explore Horner’s dramatic fall from power, tensions within the Red Bull camp, what this means for the team, the personal dimension of his exit — including his high-profile marriage to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell — Horner’s next career move, and why this story goes far beyond the pit lane.

Formula One has never just been about the racing.

Ciara’s guests are:

🚥 Luke Smith, Senior F1 Writer for The Athletic and author of On The Grid: The Inside Track on Formula 1, and
🏁 Thomas Maher, Irish F1 journalist with PlanetF1.com.

📘 Luke’s latest book, On The Grid: The Inside Track on Formula 1, is published by Simon and Schuster.

📧 Got thoughts on the show? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com — we’d love to hear from you.

Last week, the High Court heard that a civil action against McGregor by former friend and sparring partner Artem Lobov will likely be heard this autumn. ‘The Russian Hammer’ alleges he was cut out of the €500 million Proper No. Twelve whiskey deal.

On what happens to be the birthday of the MMA fighter and would-be presidential candidate, Newstalk Daily takes a closer look at the legal legacy of one of Ireland’s most controversial public figures.

Ciara Doherty is joined by courts correspondent and crime podcaster Frank Greaney to chart the growing list of civil suits, criminal incidents, and political controversies that continue to define McGregor’s life — well beyond the UFC Octagon.

The episode covers the civil jury ruling in favour of Nikita Hand, who sued McGregor for rape in a Dublin hotel — and the subsequent appeal. It looks at the UFC Brooklyn bus attack in 2018, the Marble Arch pub assault, and various driving offences. Ciara and Frank also examine McGregor’s social media activity during the Dublin riots, which led to an incitement to hatred investigation, and his increasingly vocal support among far-right circles.

🎧 Guest: Frank Greaney
🎙️ Listen to Frank’s podcast Inside the Crime: newstalk.com/podcasts/inside-the-crime
📩 Got thoughts on the episode? Email us: newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

The jury concluded that Patterson killed her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail’s sister, Heather. Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, was the sole survivor. The victims had been served a beef Wellington laced with lethal death-cap mushrooms. 

At the close of the trial, Ciara Doherty reflects on why this case gripped her—and so many others. Why did Erin Patterson commit such a horrifying crime? What made her take the stand in her own defence, despite overwhelming circumstantial evidence and her own admissions of lying? 

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Ciara is joined by Amber Johnston, a courts correspondent with 9 News in Melbourne. Amber has covered the case extensively from the very beginning, and met Erin Patterson, offering firsthand insight into one of Australia’s most disturbing criminal trials. 

Guest: Amber Johnston, Courts Correspondent, 9 News Melbourne 

📱 Follow Amber’s reporting and courtroom updates on Instagram: @amberelizabethjohnston 

📧 Got a question or comment? Email us anytime at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Why measles is surging again worldwide

How vaccine hesitancy — and misinformation — could be fuelling the rise

The controversial influence of US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

And how social media is shaping public opinion on childhood vaccines

🎧 Listen to Luke’s podcast – and every episode of Newstalk Daily – on the GoLoud app or at newstalk.com.

📩 Got questions or feedback? Email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty asks:

• What drove these young men to commit such horrifying acts?

• What happens inside the mind of a suicide bomber?

• And how did the 7/7 attacks reshape London, and Britain as a whole?

Ciara is joined by:

• Adam Wishart, documentary filmmaker and co-author of Three Weeks in July, a new book investigating the London bombings.

• Dr Paul Gill, Professor of Security and Crime Science at University College London, who studies the psychology and pathways of radicalisation.

Three Weeks in July by Adam Wishart and James Nally is published by Mudlark.

👉 Join the conversation: email us at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

Presented by Ciara Doherty with guest Seán Defoe, group political correspondent with Bauer Media Audio Ireland. 
 
Get in touch with the team at any time by email to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com