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 NewsBertie Ahern at the Mahon Tribunal: 'He said "I never lodged $45,000" - but they didn't believe him'
Bertie Ahern is back. But why did he ever leave? New polling about Mr Ahern, conducted by Ipsos for The Irish Times, suggests there are plenty of people who…
- In The News
Controversial sentencing laws: why the focus on Judge Martin Nolan?
Are our sentencing laws too harsh or too soft? Any opinion offered depends on who you ask. International research shows people tend to think sentencing is more…
- In The News
It's the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Will there be a second?
Dan McLaughlin was in Kyiv on Monday morning when US President Joe Biden arrived for a surprise visit, pledging to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion…
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In one of the world’s poorest nations, refugees are welcome
Niger is one of the world'd poorest countries. Like many other places in Africa, it is suffering from the worsening impacts of climate change. On a recent…
- In The News
How high altitude balloons are taking spying to new heights
Last night the US president said he would make "no apologies" for taking down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the east coast of America earlier this month…
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The GAA star and the alleged cancer claim fraud
A former leading GAA star has been accused of taking large sums of money from people to pay for cancer treatment - treatment that some of those who gave him…
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Why are armchair detectives and TikTok sleuths obsessed with the case of Nicola Bulley?
On Friday, January 27th, Nicola Bulley dropped her two children to primary school in a Lancashire village. She walked around the corner to a popular local…
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Has Sinn Fein changed under Mary Lou McDonald's leadership?
The weekend marked an important anniversary for Mary Lou McDonald, having been handed the reins of Sinn Fein this time five years ago. In her time as party…
- In The News
Earthquake-stricken Syrians asked for help. Why didn't the world answer?
The deadly earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria in the early hours of Monday morning – along the border of those two countries – has mobilised governments and…
- In The News
Who's really benefitting from the Irish 'golden visas' bought by Chinese millionaires?
'Golden visas' give wealthy non-Europeans the right to live in Ireland in exchange for an upfront investment or donation. The scheme enacted in 2012 has since…
- In The News
The strange story of the man who spent 18 years in an airport
The man who inspired Steven Speilberg’s 2004 movie The Terminal, died last year at what is believed to be the age of 77. Mehran Karimi Nasseri, or Sir Alfred…
- In The News
'Hunk correspondent' Patrick Freyne on why we're obsessed with TV dating shows
Love them or hate them, reality TV dating shows are one of the most enduring formats of the small screen. It seems like TV producers will take any concept and…
- In The News
Lismore Protests: 'It would be like if The Shelbourne was used for Direct Provision.'
Last weekend up to 300 people gathered outside the historical Lismore House Hotel in Co Waterford, protesting over plans to use the vacant building as a…
- In The News
Men with dogs, sticks and baseball bat attack Dublin migrant camp
A number of men with dogs, sticks and a baseball bat attacked a migrant camp in Ashtown, north Dublin, on Saturday, telling the multinational group of men who…
- In The News
Regency trial: Jonathan Dowdall's credibility is key
After 52 days, 140 witnesses, 10 hours of secret audio recordings, phone call data, hours of CCTV footage, eyewitness testimony from 27 National Surveillance…
- In The News
Ireland's Oscar joy: What it takes to turn a nomination into a win
This week, the Irish film industry earned an impressive 14 Oscar nominations. The biggest haul in any one year. But what next? When a film has an Oscar…
- In The News
How mental health services fail families across Ireland
This week the Mental Health Commission released its interim report on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs). It made for damning reading…
- In The News
How did mafioso Matteo Messina Denaro evade capture for thirty years?
Despite claims fugitive mob boss, Matteo Messino Denaro, was in Amsterdam, Liverpool and Brazil, the 60 year-old had been hiding in plain sight in Sicily. He…
- In The News
Richard Corrigan’s restaurant: ‘I would never work under those conditions ever, ever again'
"Elsa" had decades of experience waiting in restaurants before joining the staff at celebrity chef Richard Corrigan's new Dublin restaurant last year. Within a…
- In The News
How the far right spreads misinformation and enflames anger at refugee protests
Ireland’s far-right is mobilising. Heated protests outside buildings used to house asylum seekers in Ballymun, East Wall and around the country show how…
- In The News
Religion in schools: What do people really want?
About 90 per cent of primary schools in Ireland are Catholic in ethos. The figure is increasingly out of line with the religious makeup of the population. Last…
- In The News
Prince Harry: Apparently we do care about the heir and the spare
Just when you thought there was nothing new to learn about Britain's Prince Harry's explosive memoir, it manages to generate even more headlines upon its…
- In The News
"We need SWAT teams in every ED and CEOs on the frontline"
Despite fears patients may die as a result of delays in our overcrowded Emergency Departments, we are yet again dealing with another trolley crisis this…
- In The News
How China said goodbye to Zero Covid - and what it means for us
What does China’s exit from its Zero Covid policy mean for Ireland and the rest of the world? The country has fully reopened, ending the requirement for…
- In The News
What did I miss over Christmas?
In this special episode of In The News we are joined by our new co-host, Bernice Harrison, and departing presenter, Conor Pope. If you opted out of scrolling…
- In The News
The tools you need to stay healthy and happy
Looking to feel happier and healthier in life, but don’t know where to start? Clinical Psychologist Dr Trudy Meehan joins Conor Pope to talk about the…
- In The News
Best of 2022: Barack Obama’s speech writer takes us behind the scenes of his presidency
In his new book Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America, speech writer Cody Keenan gives readers an intimate portrayal of life inside the…
In The NewsBest of 2022: Tibnin Bridge, the 1982 murder of 3 Irish peacekeeping soldiers.
Since the 1970s, Irish soldiers have served as UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon, a region where complex conflicts ebb and flow. Last week, the tragic death of…
- In The News
Best of 2022: The Black Axe gang's Irish recruits
Originating in west Africa the Black Axe gang has quickly become one of the most successful groups in Irish organised crime. In the Republic, the gang has…
- In The News
Best of 2022: What happens when the fun is taken out of childrens team sports?
There are lots of reasons why team sports are a great activity for children to be involved in. They offer kids a chance to improve fitness, make new friends…
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Best of 2022: Christy Kinahan's secret life in Africa
In contrast with his son Daniel Kinahan, little has been known about the activities of Christy Kinahan snr, the founder of the Kinahan drug cartel. Irish Times…
- In The News
Why would Irish peacekeeping troops come under fire in Lebanon?
The tragic death of Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon last week marks the first Irish peacekeeper death in combat in the region since 1999. The 23 year old was a…
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Will Enoch Burke get out of jail for Christmas?
Teacher Enoch Burke could get out of jail today if he chose to. All he needs to do is say he’ll follow a court order to stay away from the school where he…
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As 2022 draws to a close, what's the situation in Ukraine?
This Christmas eve will mark ten months to the day since Russia launched their attack on Ukraine. In sub-zero temperatures, civilians are dealing with…
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The baffling story of an apartment block left empty in a housing crisis
The prestigious Capital Dock and Clancy Barracks apartments in Dublin were developed by Kennedy Wilson. Fulfilling their legal obligations for 10% social…
- In The News
ChatGPT: Could the new AI chatbot take your job?
ChatGPT is no ordinary chatbot. It’s a massive advance in AI and machine learning that can handle far more complex requests, and generate answers in human-like…
- In The News
Everything you need to know about Strep A
The death of a 4 year-old girl in the north east from the invasive form of Strep A, and a five year-old girl in Belfast, has understandably put parents around…
- In The News
German coup attempt: Who is behind it and why?
The arrest this week of 25 German citizens for allegedly plotting a coup against the German state came as a big surprise. Who are these people, and could they…
- In The News
North and South: What do Irish people think about reunification?
Voters in the north and the Republic of Ireland would welcome a referendum on a United Ireland. A straightforward binary question would yield a resounding yes…
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"This is an epidemic" - Why can't we stamp out child sexual abuse in Ireland?
Warning: This episode features discussion of child sexual abuse. Since an RTÉ radio documentary about child sexual abuse at Blackrock College aired last month…
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"Sean Quinn chooses not to understand" - filmmaker Trevor Birney on the making of Quinn Country
“Sean Quinn knows exactly what he did but chooses not to understand. It’s very easy for him to find others are to blame.” Enniskillen-born filmmaker, Trevor…
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What is the quickest way out of the housing crisis?
We get the expert view on solving Ireland’s housing emergency from Dr Lorcan Sirr, Lecturer in Housing at TU Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for…
- In The News
Regency trial: Everything that's happened so far - and what comes next
The Special Criminal Court has been hearing astonishing evidence in the trial of Gerard "The Monk" Hutch and two other men for their involvement in the murder…
- In The News
How to survive the most expensive Christmas in decades
As the permacrisis rumbles on, Christmas is rolling around again and this year’s challenge is the cost of… everything, really. With inflation at a 40 year…
- In The News
Cop27: What was agreed and what difference will it make?
What was agreed at Cop27 and will it make a difference to the climate crisis? Environment and Science editor Kevin O'Sullivan explains what happened at the two…
- In The News
Will Trump and Biden face each other again in 2024?
“He is still fervently supported by a segment of the republican voter who is predominantly male, largely white and non-college educated.” The return of Donald…
- In The News
How can the Spiritans abuse survivors get justice?
When the RTE Documentary Blackrock Boys aired nearly two weeks ago, it sent shockwaves through the country. Detailing sexual abuse at the Dublin school, it has…
- In The News
Qatar 2022: the rocky road to Doha
After a 12 year lead-in time dogged by corruption scandal, human rights abuses and subversion of the football calendar, World Cup 2022 is finally about to get…
- In The News
"She spoke truth to power" - remembering Vicky Phelan
Yesterday we learned of the death of Vicky Phelan, the outspoken campaigner whose own mishandled case led to reform of the cervical cancer detection system and…
- In The News
Revealed: Christy Kinahan's Zimbabwe connection
In contrast with his son Daniel Kinahan, little has been known about the activities of Christy Kinahan snr, the founder of the Kinahan drug cartel. Irish Times…
- In The News
Is Féidir Linn! Barack Obama’s speech writer takes us behind the scenes of his presidency
In his new book Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America, speech writer Cody Keenan gives readers an intimate portrayal of life inside the…
- In The News
Trouble in the tech sector: what will it mean for Ireland?
For years, the tech sector has been Ireland’s golden goose. Multi-national companies like Facebook and Google are worth billions of euro to the Irish economy…
- In The News
Cancelled: Is there any way back for Kanye West?
Kanye West has arguably suffered one of the most spectacular downfalls in contemporary culture. Brands like Adidas, Balenciaga and JP Morgan have severed ties…
- In The News
Elon Musk and Twitter: Can this end well?
Having bought Twitter, Elon Musk is moving rapidly to change the troubled social media platform, both for its hundreds of millions of users and for its…
- In The News
The Black Axe gang: a new frontier in Irish crime
Originating in west Africa the Black Axe gang has quickly become one of the most successful groups in Irish organised crime. In the Republic, the gang has…
- In The News
The history of Ireland’s old fashioned licensing laws
Have you ever wondered why pubs and nightclubs in Ireland have a very strict closing time, whereas the rest of Europe has a more relaxed approach to how their…
In The NewsFace to face with a killer: Tibnin Bridge, part three
The families of Corporal Morrow, Private Burke and Private Murphy watch on as Ireland's best criminal defence barrister tries to get Michael McAleavy acquitted…
In The NewsAn unthinkable crime: Tibnin Bridge, part two
Among soldiers who have served in Lebanon, no incident is more notorious than the 1982 killings of Corporal Gregory Morrow, Private Peter Burke and Private…
In The NewsDeath at an Irish army checkpoint: Tibnin Bridge, part one
Since the 1970s, Irish soldiers have served as UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon, a region where complex conflicts ebb and flow. 47 Irish soldiers have died…
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US midterms: Can a celebrity doctor deliver for the Republicans?
With just two weeks to go until the 2022 midterm elections, all eyes are on Pennsylvania and the two nominees vying for the Senate seat, Republican celebrity…