Shows / In The News
In The News
In The News is a daily podcast from The Irish Times that takes a close look at the stories that matter, in Ireland and around the world. Presented by Bernice Harrison and Aideen Finnegan.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- In The News
General election: can any political party bring down the cost of living?
The cost of living is repeatedly mentioned as one of the main issues to the forefront of voters' minds in the run up to the General Election. In the US…
- In The News
Autism: Why are so many children being diagnosed these days?
Twenty years ago, autism in Ireland was still seen as a relatively rare condition. Studies at the time suggested around seven in 10,000 schoolchildren were…
- In The News
Why Scientology gets refugees to work for free on the streets of Dublin
The Irish branch of the Church of Scientology has been going into an international protection asylum centre in Dublin and recruiting the refugees living there…
- In The News
How Nikita Hand won her battle against Conor McGregor
Nikita Hand has won her civil case against MMA fighter Conor McGregor. The 35 year-old Dublin woman alleged he raped her in the penthouse suite of The Beacon…
- In The News
The Donald Trump appointee who has his sights on Ireland's tax take
Donald Trump's choices for the top roles in his administration include TV doctor Mehmet Oz, former WWE exec Linda McMahon, Kristi Noem the South Dakota…
- In The News
Comparing party promises on immigration for the General Election
It's been one year since anti-immigration protests spiralled into full-scale rioting on the streets of Dublin. The issue has dominated the headlines this year…
- In The News
Why is Fine Gael sticking with controversial candidate John McGahon?
Fine Gael is doubling down on its support for a General Election candidate who was filmed punching a man in the head. John McGahon was 28 years-old and a Fine…
- In The News
Why did William Maughan and Anastasija Varslavane disappear in 2015?
In April 2015, William Maughan and his pregnant girlfriend Anastasija Varslavane disappeared without a trace. Noone has ever been charged in connection to…
- In The News
How a lie led to the horrific murder of teacher Samuel Paty
On October 6th, 2020 in a school outside Paris, teacher Samuel Paty gave a lesson on freedom of speech – the same lesson he had given several times before…
- In The News
Donald Trump picks Elon Musk for The White House
President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, will co-lead a newly-created Department of Government Efficiency, with…
- In The News
‘Families are told your son is dead but we can preserve his sperm’: Why is postmortem sperm retrieval soaring in Israel?
Postmortem sperm retrieval is a procedure whereby the sperm of dead men is extracted in the hours following their death and stored for potential future use…
- In The News
Could Jo Jo Dullard’s murder finally be solved?
On the 9th of November 1995, Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard disappeared on her way home from a night out and was never seen again. The Kilkenny woman's…
- In The News
Why is Gerry Hutch running in the general election?
After weeks of speculation, Dublin criminal Gerry Hutch has confirmed he will run in the upcoming general election. The 61-year-old, who was arrested in…
- In The News
Why former Leinster rugby star Rocky Elsom is on the run from French police
Rocky Elsom was a fearsome competitor on the rugby pitch, capable of winning matches almost single-handedly with his dominance in attack and defence. Ireland…
- In The News
And they're off: General Election 2024 is called
After months of speculation Taoiseach Simon Harris finally announced that the general election will take place on November 29th. Later today he will travel to…
- In The News
What does Donald Trump's win mean for Ireland and the world?
Donald Trump is an unpredictable and chaotic leader so what does his second term as US presidency herald? An interruption in trade between Ireland and the US…
- In The News
What will Israel's Unrwa ban mean for the people of Gaza?
On Monday, Israel formally notified the United Nations of its intention to sever all ties with the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa). It…
- In The News
Hugh Linehan's guide to watching the US election
US presidential election day has arrived and the counting of votes will being tonight. With the race a dead heat according to polls, the results will be a…
- In The News
Why was a Belfast film producer arrested for telling the truth?
On the morning of August 31st, 2018, award-winning film producer Trevor Birney was arrested at his home in Belfast while the PSNI searched the house as his…
- In The News
Why did Spain's flash flood warning come so late?
More than a year’s worth of rain fell in southern Spain in barely eight hours on Tuesday. It caused devastation. By Thursday the death toll had reached 155…
- In The News
The riches to rags story of Derek Quinlan, the Celtic Tiger investor still stuck in bankruptcy
Earlier this year, The Irish Times gained access to the bankruptcy files of Derek Quinlan, one of the most prolific Irish property investors of the Celtic…
- In The News
When will the election be called - and what has to happen first?
Last week, the Government rushed through a number of priority Bills in a scramble to clear the decks before the next general election. Five Bills were…
- In The News
How can a child disappear in Ireland without the alarm being raised?
Kyran Dirnan case puts spotlight on how schools and Tusla monitor children Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- In The News
What’s behind the EV backlash?
This episode was originally published in August 2024. Sales of EVs in Ireland collapsed in 2024 with the number of newly-licensed electric vehicles down by 24…
- In The News
Hugh Linehan: What I learned from Trump coming-of-age movie The Apprentice
The Apprentice isn’t a movie about the reality TV series that made its presenter, New York businessman Donald Trump, a star. Instead it tracks the relationship…
- In The News
What did the Dublin Taskforce recommend to improve the city?
At an event this week, an all-male panel led by Taoiseach Simon Harris, went through the Dublin task force’s 10-point plan. Irish Times Dublin editor Olivia…
- In The News
Why Kinahan gangster Liam Byrne is happy with a five-year sentence
Kinahan gang leader Liam Byrne (43) has been sentenced to five years in prison for weapons charges, while Thomas “Bomber” Kavanagh (57) has been sentenced to…
- In The News
Will early release for prisoners solve overcrowding crisis in Irish jails?
Sending Irish prisoners to jails in eastern Europe and letting some sex offenders out early with electronic tags are just two of the 16 recommendations put…
- In The News
Could Ukraine's victory plan actually work?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has finally presented his long-awaited victory plan to the world. It’s his blueprint on how to end the war with Russia…
- In The News
Why singer Liam Payne's death is hitting One Direction fans hard
Pop star Liam Payne was just 31 when he died but he had been famous for half his life. As a member of One Direction – the mega successful boy band that emerged…
- In The News
Why Gardaí fear a missing eight-year-old boy was murdered
Gardaí suspect a missing child – now believed to have been murdered – may have died months before his disappearance was reported in August. Kyran Durnin (8)…
- In The News
Kinahan cartel arrest: Is Dubai no longer a safe haven for Irish criminals?
Even when Interpol slapped a “Red Notice” on Sean McGovern, the Irish career criminal hiding out in Dubai was probably not too concerned. That Red Notice came…
- In The News
Lebanon under attack: Locals fear another Gaza could unfold
It’s nearly four weeks since Israel detonated explosions in the pagers belonging to members of Hizbullah, the Iran backed Lebanese-based militia. Since then…
- In The News
Are celebrity political candidates worth voting for?
From GAA superstar Jack Lynch who became taoiseach to RTÉ journalist George Lee whose political career was brief – for decades Irish voters have been presented…
- In The News
How a ‘global forum’ promising billionaires became a small Dublin event with muffins
Anti-female genital mutilation advocates expected high-profile speakers at a packed Dublin conference – they found a small room in a hotel with 25 people and…
- In The News
Can an Irishman fix Keir Starmer’s premiership after 100 days of disaster?
With the appointment this week of Cork-born Morgan McSweeney as his chief of staff, British prime minister Keir Starmer must be hoping for some calm after a…
- In The News
The child protection controversy engulfing Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin would likely be taking every opportunity this week to lambast the government in the wake of the budget and with a general election on the cards…
- In The News
Why would Russia want 'agents of influence' inside the Irish political system?
Last weekend, The Sunday Times reported that an unnamed Irish politician had been working for Russian intelligence as "an agent of influence” within the…
- In The News
Car theft in Ireland: Are international gangs to blame?
Last year, nearly 5,000 cars were stolen across Ireland – making it the worst year for car thefts in more than a decade. Opportunists and joyriders have always…
- In The News
How the October 7th attacks led to a year of war
October 7th is a date seared into the memory of Israelis. It was the day last year that they awoke to an attack by militant group Hamas, on a scale never…
- In The News
Is homework a waste of time?
Whether you’re eight or 18, homework is part of your school day. But should it be? And how much should children be tasked to do? And what is the point? Irish…
- In The News
Why the Global South is following China - not the West
Chinese premier Xi Jinping has a plan to reshape the global security order. His diplomatic initiative is a challenge to the United States-led “rules-based…
- In The News
Why are overseas investors buying Ireland's defective apartments?
Prospective home purchasers are losing out to cash buyers – mostly overseas investors – on apartments with defects, ranging from minor issues to hazardous…
- In The News
Budget 2025: What does it mean for you?
What did we learn from the budget speeches of Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe? Irish Times reporters fill us in on bonus payments, tax adjustments…
- In The News
Inside Andrew Tate's toxic world - Part 2
In the summer of 2022, journalists Matt Shea and Jamie Tahsin were in Romania filming a documentary about Andrew Tate and his social media influence. Tate, who…
- In The News
Inside Andrew Tate's toxic world - Part 1
In 2019, before Andrew Tate became the household name he is today, documentary makers Matt Shea and Jamie Tahsin decided to tell Tate's story and investigate…
- In The News
Press Up: Where did it all go wrong?
Since 2007 the Press Up hospitality group has been a key and highly visible player in Dublin’s social scene with super-stylish restaurants, popular nightclubs…
- In The News
What is Hizbullah and why is it on the brink of war with Israel?
This week has been the deadliest for Lebanon in decades after sustained air strikes by Israel. Fears are growing for an all-out war between the two sides as…
- In The News
How did Ireland's hate speech law die?
The Government was forced to admit that it is dropping its controversial plans to introduce hate speech laws after the move was revealed by Irish Times…
- In The News
Alexander McCartney: 'Catfishing' abuser to be sentenced
This week Alexander McCartney from Newry, Co Armagh, will be sentenced in Belfast for what has been described as one of the “worst cases of catfishing” to ever…
- In The News
President Higgins and Israel: What is the controversy all about?
Attending the UN Assembly in New York on Sunday, President Michael D Higgins accused the Israeli embassy in Dublin of “circulating” a congratulatory letter he…
- In The News
Lower back pain: how your lifestyle could be to blame
“Scans rarely show the cause of low back pain,” says Prof Kieran O’Sullivan, chartered physiotherapist and head of the school of physiotherapy at the…
- In The News
How an app breach snared Ireland's biggest crime gang
What links an Australian app designer, a global police sting and this week's drugs bust in Wexford? A Dublin gang known as 'The Family.' Gardai say the group…
- In The News
Lebanon explosions: What we know about the pager attacks
At least 26 people are dead and thousands injured following the simultaneous detonating of pagers and walkie talkies in Lebanon. Israel is believed to be…
- In The News
Moving to Australia: Instagram versus reality
A record 10,600 Irish people emigrated to Australia last year, according to the Central Statistics Office; the highest number since 2013. With its year-round…
- In The News
Trump assassination attempt: Who is Ryan Routh?
Washington correspondent Keith Duggan reports on what we know about the second attempt on the life of former US president Donald Trump in a matter of months…
- In The News
Pat Finucane murder inquiry: will the extent of British state collusion finally be revealed?
The UK government has ordered a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, the Belfast solicitor shot dead in 1989 by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA)…
- In The News
Too posh to police? Why garda numbers are falling
An Garda Siochana has a serious retention and recruitment problem. The Commissioner knows it, so does the Minister for Justice but despite public commitments…
- In The News
'They're eating the pets' - how Trump's debate went off the rails
Kamala Harris needed a win on Tuesday night's US presidential election debate. After an initial honeymoon period as Democratic nominee, her campaign on the…
- In The News
Apple tax windfall: How Ireland was forced to take it - and how we should spend it
Is an award of €13 billion a big win or an embarrassing loss? The European Court of Justice (ECJ) court yesterday said that the European Commission was correct…