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
Why Isis still poses a deadly threat - and what the Moscow attack means for Ukraine
The Moscow attack which killed at least 137 people and injured many more was carried out by an Isis affiliate called Isis-K. On today’s In the News podcast…
- In The News
The toll of war on the children of Gaza
At least 13,000 children have died in Gaza in the last six months; more than in 4 years of global conflict. Despite the UN Security Council calling for an…
- In The News
How the investigation into Annie McCarrick's disappearance took a wrong turn
This time last year, the 1993 disappearance of Annie McCarrick, a young American woman living in Dublin, was upgraded to a murder inquiry. For three decades…
- In The News
From farming to the sex trade - Ireland’s human trafficking problem
Trafficking of women and girls into Ireland to work in the sex industry is one aspect of a transnational crime that has been discovered in a range of sectors…
- In The News
Unmasked: the Co Armagh man at the centre of the world’s largest ‘catfishing’ investigation
When it was put to Alexander McCartney that he had, in the words of the Belfast court, “unlawfully killed a female child”, the 26-year-old from Northern…
- In The News
Why did Leo go - and who will replace him?
Today on In the News we bring you an episode of our sister podcast, Inside Politics. Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones joined host Hugh Linehan to…
- In The News
Breaking news: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to step down - listen to his full speech
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced he is to step down. Listen to his full speech in this bonus episode. More to follow. Hosted on Acast. See…
- In The News
The 'ghost student' visa scam spreading through the English language school sector
Earlier this week, an Irish Times investigation revealed a rising number of foreign students from outside the EU are using forged documents to secure study…
- In The News
Why did it take so long to convict prolific sex offender Bill Kenneally?
Paedophile Bill Kenneally is serving an 18-year sentence for the sexual abuse of 15 young boys in Waterford in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. But it took until 2016…
- In The News
Were Irish colonisers too? A new book reveals our forgotten dark history
In discussions around empire and colonisation, including popular movements such as Black Lives Matter and Rhodes Must Fall, Ireland likes to think itself on…
- In The News
"There's no way he would have sex with me if I said to use a condom" - why STIs are spreading so quickly in Ireland
Ireland has the highest reported rate of gonorrhoea infection across 30 European countries, with a record number of cases reported in Ireland in 2022…
- In The News
Could Daniel Kinahan finally face trial in Ireland?
In February 2016, just three days after the notorious Regency Hotel Shooting, 59-year-old Eddie Hutch was gunned down outside his home in Dublin’s north inner…
- In The News
Charlie Bird's courageous final act
The death was announced yesterday of broadcaster and journalist Charlie Bird. The former RTÉ chief news correspondent, who was 74 when he died, was diagnosed…
- In The News
Why are Chinese millionaires buying up South Dublin homes?
When "Niamh" began house-hunting in Dublin's suburbs, she soon noticed that viewings were often attended by agents who were using phones to live-stream the…
- In The News
How vulnerable children were put at risk by Ireland’s state care system
A large provider of accommodation for children in care, Ideal Care Services, has been found to have put young people at risk by failing to carry out proper…
- In The News
Can Cillian win the Oscar - and who else deserves one?
Cillian Murphy looks unbeatable for the Best Actor gong. But who else should win at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday night? And who will win? Irish Times…
- In The News
Russia claims leaked audio proves Germany wants war
On Monday, Russian media published an audio recording of high-ranking German military officers discussing weapons which could be used by Ukrainian military in…
- In The News
The arguments for Yes and No in the referendums, explained
If you're not sure how you're going to vote in Friday's referendum, you're not alone. According to an Irish Times / IPSOS B&A poll in February, 53% of those…
- In The News
What will happen to Dublin’s empty office blocks?
Dublin’s office market is likely to get worse before it gets better with no relief in sight until 2027 amid a collapse in demand and a glut of new developments…
- In The News
What’s wrong with University Hospital Limerick?
The death last month of a 33-year-year old first-time mother at University Hospital Limerick once again put the troubled hospital in the headlines. Shortly…
- In The News
Intermittent fasting: the good, the bad and the hungry
Health and family editor Damian Cullen had already ticked off a long list of diets before he hit on intermittent fasting and three years later, and 16kg…
- In The News
The 'impulsive joke' tweet that caused an Irish MEP three years of 'torture'
When Diarmuid Hayes send a strange tweet from his employer MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan's account, the resulting mockery caused huge damage to Flanagan's life and…
- In The News
Can we trust the new FAI?
Last week’s FAI’s appearance before the Public Accounts Committee did not go particularly well. Members of the committee expressed concern regarding the role…
- In The News
The latest twist in the RTÉ saga, explained
It’s been another awful week for the national broadcaster. Last Friday, RTÉ board chairwoman Siún Ní Raghallaigh resigned after her position was undermined by…
- In The News
How a small Irish seaside town has opened its doors to those fleeing war
Two years ago, what would become 105,000 Ukrainians began arriving in Ireland to seek refuge from the Russian invasion of their country. They were dispersed…
- In The News
Why Gardaí are still investigating rogue solicitor Michael Lynn
Renegade solicitor Michael Lynn stole €18 million from the banks at the height of the Celtic Tiger property boom. It took until this week for justice to be…
- In The News
Why spy fears have led to the downsizing of the Russian Embassy
For decades concerns were raised at Government level that the Russian Embassy in Dublin was an espionage hub, with the sheer scale of the Soviet diplomatic…
- In The News
Cork drugs bust: Are Irish agents working for Mexico’s deadliest cartel?
Last week, a consignment of synthetic drugs, thought to be crystal meth worth €32.8 million, were seized in Cork Port. It is believed the shipment, which was…
- In The News
Why Dublin's Metro is still a decade away - at least
On Monday, An Bord Pleanála met for its first hearing in 15 years into Dublin’s planned underground rail line. The €9.5 billion MetroLink, as it is now known…
- In The News
Revealed: how landlord Marc Godart ruthlessly runs his business
Previously on In the News, Irish Times Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary explained how Dublin-based landlord Marc Godart deployed CCTV to monitor tenants in…
- In The News
New leads in mystery of missing Icelandic tourist
Jon Jonsson, 41, vanished in Dublin in 2019 while in Ireland to play poker. A father of four and a taxi driver in his native Iceland, he was travelling with…
- In The News
What is it like to visit the most dangerous country in the world?
Nearly two and half years since passed since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in after the US withdrew the last of its troops from the country. Since…
- In The News
Climate activism: Do attention-grabbing stunts have any real impact?
On January 28th two activists from Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack) threw soup at the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris. Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece…
- In The News
Who is behind the wave of arson attacks on migrant housing?
Since 2018, there have been 23 arson attacks with a suspected anti-immigration motivation on buildings earmarked, or just rumoured for use, as accommodation or…
- In The News
Crisis after crisis at aircraft giant Boeing
A door that blew off a Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off was not properly secured after maintenance to the aircraft, an investigation has found. This is…
- In The News
‘We’ll be talking about this Auschwitz film for decades to come’
In Jonathan Glazer’s multi-Oscar nominated and breathtaking new film, The Zone of Interest, Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), commandant of the Auschwitz camp…
- In The News
Measles: What you need to know about the resurgent disease
On Tuesday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly brought plans to Cabinet for an urgent catch-up vaccination programme for young people at risk at contracting…
- In The News
What if John Bruton had won a second term as Taoiseach?
The death of former Taoiseach John Bruton is a moment to remember the life of a decent man and a talented politician, but also an opportunity to reflect on how…
- In The News
Why did two teenagers murder Brianna Ghey?
The murder last February of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender girl, shocked Britain. She had been stabbed 28 times, in a public park, in broad daylight…
- In The News
England and Wales have banned this breed of dog. Should Ireland follow?
It is now a criminal offence to have an XL Bully dog in England and Wales, although some exemptions do apply. New rules were brought in to stop serious and…
- In The News
Why is China interested in Ireland?
Beijing correspondent Denis Staunton on why China sees Ireland as a potential friend at at time when other Western countries are growing increasingly wary of…
- In The News
Let's have the difficult conversation about immigration
Immigration has overtaken housing and the cost-of-living to become the main issue on the minds of voters, according to a new Irish Times and Ipsos Behaviour…
- In The News
Why are western countries cutting funding to Gaza's biggest aid agency?
Last week, Israeli authorities alleged that some employees of UNRWA, the Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, were involved in the October 7th Hamas…
- In The News
Racism in football: When the chants start, should the games end? With Ken Early
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Coventry City midfielder Kasey Palmer both paused their respective games last Saturday after they were subjected to racist…
- In The News
How RTÉ lost control of Toy Show: The Musical
Toy Show: the musical lost €2.2m – that much was well known before Grant Thornton delivered its report on RTÉ’s 2022 ill-advised foray into live theatre. What…
- In The News
Why is Alec Baldwin facing new manslaughter charges?
The case against actor Alec Baldwin in the death by gunshot of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a film set in 2021 collapsed. But why has he been indicted…
- In The News
Women, family and care: the referendums explained
On March 8th, voters will be asked to change the Constitution in two referendums: one concerns care and the removal of the reference to the role of women in…
- In The News
Is the Sophie Toscan du Plantier case now closed?
On Sunday, Ian Bailey, the prime suspect in the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, died in West Cork from a suspected heart attack. Despite decades of…
- In The News
Controversial landlord Marc Godart: tenants and employees speak
Landlord Marc Godart is being taken to court by Dublin City Council for allegedly breaking planning laws and breaching fire safety regulations in the running…
- In The News
The financial mess behind Páirc Uí Chaoimh renaming plans
It’s no secret that Cork GAA is in a financial hole. Rebuilding Páirc Uí Chaoimh went way over budget with a final cost – for the amateur organisation –…
- In The News
Can anyone beat Trump to the Republican nomination?
For months all the polling and analysis has said Donald Trump is a huge favourite to win the Republican nomination for the US presidency. His win at the Iowa…
- In The News
Restaurant killings spike fears of gangland retaliation
On Christmas Eve, a shooting in a popular Dublin restaurant that resulted in the deaths of two men shocked the country. In a badly planned attack, Tristan…
- In The News
Ireland’s elite soldiers get an upgrade
The Army Ranger Wing (ARW), the most elite and secretive unit of the Defence Forces, is to undertake its largest restructuring in its 43-year history. The most…
- In The News
What next for convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius?
When Oscar Pistorius murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, he was one of the most famous athletes in the world. A double amputee and an Olympian –…
- In The News
Would a fall in house prices be a good thing?
The asking price for a house in Ireland has risen by around four per cent in the past year. It's bad news for those who can't afford to buy their first home…
- In The News
Israel accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice
Today, Israel will appear before the International Court of Justice, to reject South Africa’s allegation that it is committing genocide in Gaza. South Africa…
- In The News
Vladimir Putin benefits as the West's support for Ukraine wavers
Twelve months ago, Ukraine was optimistic about reclaiming more land after successes against the Russian army. However, the front line is still roughly where…
- In The News
Does Ireland need more prison cells or fewer prisoners?
Last November, after Josef Puska was sentenced to life for the murder of Aisling Murphy, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that the State needed more spaces in…
- In The News
The disappearance of Imelda Keenan: 'If she was alive, she'd tell us'
Imelda Keenan was just 22 when she went missing from Waterford. Originally from Laois but living and studying in Waterford, she was reported missing on January…
- In The News
Stripping an Islamic terrorist of his Irish citizenship
The Department of Justice is to introduce a new process for stripping citizenship from Irish citizens, three years after the previous system was struck down by…