Michael D. Higgins has been President of Ireland for almost 14 years. As his second term draws to a close, the hunt is on for a new head of state. With July now upon us, it’s remarkable how few would-be candidates are offering themselves ahead of the election (which must take place by November). For a while, it seemed like the Presidency was the best-paid Irish job nobody wanted.

Now, several names from Fianna Fáil have emerged in connection with a tilt at the Park. Fine Gael says it WILL run a candidate for an election the party has never managed to win. And a number of prominent names from the charity sector and media seem at least open to conversations about a run for the Presidency. Ciara Doherty and Seán Defoe get together to take a look at the early runners and riders in the race for the Áras.

Presented by Ciara Doherty with guest Seán Defoe, group political correspondent with Bauer Media Audio Ireland.

You can contact the podcast by email to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

A recent report from Women’s Aid found that, in 2024, all categories of violence against women rose considerably. Research shows that one of the drivers of this increased violence is the easy availability of hard-core pornography, especially via smart phones, which is changing perceptions of women and sex.

Dr Richard Hogan is a family psychotherapist, author of ‘Parenting the Screenager’ and a long-time campaigner against early sexualisation of children. He claims that “to be sex-positive is to be porn-critical.” He talks to Ciara Doherty about why explicit material has become more widespread in society, the links between pornography and violence, and what parents can do to protect their children.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast you can contact the Women’s Aid 24-hour national freephone helpline on 1800 341 900 or womensaid.ie. The National Male Advice Line is 1800 816 588.

Get in touch with the Newstalk Daily team by email on newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

Jury deliberations in the federal trial of hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs are set to begin in New York. The Harlem-born rapper and founder of Bad Boy Records is charged with racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution – charges he denies.

Combs’ alleged victims include his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who testified for the prosecution during the lengthy trial, alongside dozens of others, including former employees who gave graphic evidence about what happened at the infamous ‘freak-off’ parties. The musician chose not to testify in his defence. Now, after more than six weeks of gripping testimony, it’s finally over to the jury.

Anastasia Tsioulcas is culture correspondent with NPR. She tells Ciara Doherty about the case against Combs, discusses some big moments from witnesses’ testimony, and describes the massive public and media interest in the trial.

Contact the podcast by email to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

The Trump administration has problems with Ireland’s regulation of what people see on social media and the internet more broadly. According to reports, US officials threatened to impose visa bans on Irish officials who impose strict EU rules on online content because that - according to the MAGA philosophy - is censorship.

Meanwhile, Irish students heading to the States on summer visas face having their own social media accounts analysed for content the US State Department regards as hostile “toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States.”

Today on Newstalk Daily, we look at the importance of the social media giants to the Irish economy, ask how our regulators might respond to the American demands, and consider what freedom of speech really means.

Ciara Doherty is joined at Newstalk Daily HQ by business editor Joe Lynam and journalist and entrepreneur Mark Little, who co-founded Storyful and Kinzen and worked for tech giants Twitter and Spotify.

Email us at any time on newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

It’s festival season, drawing hundreds of thousands of revellers to fields and camp sites across Ireland and the UK. Glastonbury gets underway today, with Irish rap trio Kneecap at the centre of a political storm, ahead of their appearance at Worthy Farm on Saturday. Closer to home, smaller festival organisers face multiple challenges, as they battle increased costs, inclement weather, and an increasingly packed schedule of competing events.

So today on Newstalk Daily, we ask: why do festivals and the artists that perform there – acts like Kneecap – remain such so compelling for music lovers?  Should artists ever be censored for their political points of view? And how might you go about creating a festival of your own?

Ciara Doherty speaks to DJ and music critic Louise Bruton, Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hothouse Flowers, Dr Michael Murphy from IADT, and Craig Hughes, political editor at the Irish Daily Mail and founder of the Night and Day Festival, which takes place this weekend in county Roscommon.

Get in touch with the team at any time by email to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

The Middle East is teetering on the brink of large-scale war, following the decision by the United States to enter the conflict between Israel and Iran, deploying 'bunker buster' bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles against suspected nuclear sites. 
 
The world holds its breath, waiting to see how the conflict develops. European leaders, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, have called for ‘de-escalation,’ but is the European Union irrelevant - impotent even - when it comes to this particular war? And what is it like for Iranian exiles living in Ireland to see their home country come under attack from both Israel and the United States? 
 
For Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty speaks to Shona Murray, European Affairs correspondent with Euronews, and Dr. Roja Fazaeli, Established Professor of Law and Islamic Studies at the University of Galway and chairperson of the Immigrant Council of Ireland. 
 
Get in touch with the team at any time by email to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com 

Welcome to Newstalk Daily, a brand-new podcast in which Ciara Doherty takes a deep dive into the stories that matter, bringing you richer insights, wider analysis and compelling voices. 
 
Up first – just what IS happening at Children’s Health Ireland, a key player in the provision of care to the nation’s sickest young people? Unnecessary operations, use of unapproved devices, resignations from the board, multiple apologies, talk of a ‘toxic work culture'... and the small matter of a still-unfinished, very expensive National Children’s Hospital. 
 
The bosses of CHI appeared before the Oireachtas Health Committee last week, where one TD with direct, personal experience of the problems claimed this ‘could be one of the biggest medical malpractices in the history of the state.’ 
 
Ciara Doherty and Seán Defoe gather in Newstalk Daily HQ to reflect on the issues at CHI and speculate about how Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill might respond. 
 

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 

Newstalk Daily - the podcast that takes a deep dive into all kinds of stories. Presented by Ciara Doherty, Newstalk Daily is available first thing, every weekday morning. Start your day with a conversation that counts.

Oasis will take to the stage tonight at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to begin an mammoth, 41-night stadium tour, estimated to earn Liam and Noel Gallagher a cool £50 million each. The Mancunian brothers last performed together in 2009, but have patched-up their differences for the Oasis Live ’25 tour, which will visit Ireland for two, sold-out dates at Croke Park in August.

In this episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty and her guests return to the Britpop era, recalling the band’s massive run of hits in the mid-1990s, the rivalry with Blur, the endless rows between the Gallagher siblings, and the reasons why their music reached a global audience. They also consider whether or not this reunion tour is a shameless money-grabbing effort, designed to pay-off divorce debts or bulk-up their retirement funds!

Ciara’s guests are Simon Maher, founder of 8Radio.com, and Oasis uber-fan Shauna O’Reilly from the Today FM Breakfast Show.

You can email the podcast at any time on newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

Politicians are fighting over the future of the GPO on Dublin’s O’Connell Street, now that An Post has moved its headquarters to a new site. But while TDs bicker over whether or not a revitalised GPO should contain commercial units and cafes, they all agree that a major museum or cultural space is essential to the iconic building’s future.

Here at Newstalk Daily, we wondered: might the GPO make a suitable home for the proposed Irish women’s museum? An expert committee set up to examine the idea is expected to send its report to Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan shortly. However not everyone agrees that Ireland needs such an institution, so today Ciara Doherty speaks to two women with differing views on a national women’s museum.

Ciara’s guests are Dr Georgina Laragy, assistant professor in Public History and Cultural Heritage at Trinity College Dublin, and Finn McRedmond, columnist with the Irish Times and New Statesman.

Email the podcast at any time on newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

It's ten years since architect Graham Dwyer was convicted of the murder of childcare worker Elaine O’Hara, whose remains were discovered in the Dublin Mountains in September 2013. The evidence in his trial shocked the nation, exposing Dwyer’s sadistic fantasies and serial abuse of a vulnerable young woman. For almost a decade, Graham Dwyer pursued every avenue of appeal, finally exhausting his legal options in July 2024. He continues to serve a life sentence.

Geraldine Noone is a forensic psychologist who spent more than thirty years in An Garda Síochána and, since retirement, has worked for Interpol and FIFA, as well as a private consultant. She was centrally involved in the investigation of Elaine O’Hara’s murder and in the interview strategy used by Gardaí in questioning Dwyer. Geraldine recently participated in a major new television series about the case.

Geraldine speaks to Ciara Doherty about her career, her role in the investigation of Graham Dwyer’s crime, and the critical role forensic psychology can play in catching killers.

‘Murderer Behind the Mask’ is streaming now on Prime Video.

Get in touch with the team at any time on newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

Twenty years ago today, 52 people were killed and more than 700 injured in the deadliest terrorist attack on British soil since the Second World War. On July 7th, 2005, four young British men—Mohammad Sidique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain, and Germaine Lindsay—detonated homemade explosives, carried in backpacks, in coordinated suicide bombings on the London Underground and a double-decker bus.

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.

Ireland is awash with cocaine. Our coastline leaves us highly exposed. And the traffickers know it.

In this episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty explores how Ireland became a key gateway for international drug cartels, what’s being done to stop them, and why the crisis keeps escalating.

We hear from former naval commander Eugene Ryan, who led some of the country’s biggest drug interceptions, and Cormac O’Keeffe, security correspondent with the Irish Examiner, on how gangland networks, weak defences, and global cartels are fuelling the trade.

From the MV Matthew to today’s smuggling routes, this episode traces the drug pipeline bringing cocaine from cartel hands to the streets of Ireland and beyond — and asks: are we equipped to stop it?

Guests: Eugene Ryan, former Irish naval commander and MAOC(N) co-founder, and Cormac O’Keeffe, Irish Examiner security correspondent.

📩 Contact the podcast at any time by email to newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

This week, the United States reported its highest number of measles cases in 33 years. Across Europe, outbreaks are spreading in countries like France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. Now, Irish health officials are urging caution for holidaymakers heading to affected regions.

Meanwhile, a major new report in The Lancet reveals that Ireland has the second-lowest rate of childhood vaccination in Western Europe — raising urgent questions about how vulnerable we really are to a domestic outbreak.

On Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by immunologist Professor Luke O’Neill, host of the Show Me the Science podcast, to discuss:

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.

With the summer recess looming, Sinn Féin leads in the opinion polls. The party has led a noisy — and at times confrontational — left-wing opposition to the coalition government. And its leader enjoys strong approval ratings and widespread first-name recognition across Ireland.

So why is Mary Lou McDonald now hinting at a possible new role? Just months ago, when asked about running for president, the Dublin Central TD was quick to dismiss the idea: “It won’t be me.” This week, however, she declined to rule out the possibility entirely.

What’s changed? Could Sinn Féin nominate its leader for this autumn’s presidential election — and what might that signal about the party’s future direction?

Ciara Doherty is joined by Shane Coleman, presenter of Newstalk Breakfast, to unpack why Mary Lou McDonald might pursue the Áras, what her potential candidacy could mean for Sinn Féin, and who could step up to lead the party in the Dáil if she steps aside.

📩 Join the conversation by emailing newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.

This week, Erin Patterson was found guilty of murder and attempted murder after an 11-week trial in Morwell, a small town in Victoria, Australia. 

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 

Content Warning: This episode contains references to mental health and the loss of life. Listener discretion is advised. 

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. 

Christian Horner is out.

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.

Conor McGregor is back in the news — and back in the courts.

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

In this extra edition of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty takes a personal and critical look at the life and legacy of Hulk Hogan – the man who turned professional wrestling into a global pop culture juggernaut, and whose name became synonymous with the sport in the 1980s and 90s. 

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. 

As Donald Trump begins a closely-watched visit to Scotland — home to several of his luxury golf resorts and his mother’s birthplace — fresh revelations about his name appearing in the so-called Epstein Files are triggering alarm within his MAGA support base back in the U.S. 

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. 

Let’s go back to Ireland in July 1985, to the quiet village of Ballinspittle in County Cork, where reports of a roadside statue of the Virgin Mary swaying gently before the eyes of stunned onlookers sparked a national sensation. What began as a local curiosity quickly exploded into a nationwide phenomenon, as similar apparitions were reported throughout Ireland that summer, drawing tens of thousands of pilgrims and dominating headlines. The media descended, cameras rolled, and the country found itself gripped by a strange blend of spiritual awe, communal frenzy, and a deep hunger for meaning at a time of unemployment, emigration and conflict in Northern Ireland.

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

Drones are delivering more than just convenience in Ireland — they're bringing controversy, criminal innovation, and complex legal questions with them. In this podcast, Ciara Doherty explores the sharp rise in drone usage across the country — from life-saving medical deliveries and construction site surveys to drug drops in prisons and cartel-led smuggling operations.

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.

The government says it will spend €200 billion over the next decade on major infrastructure — everything from rail and roads to water systems and the electricity grid.

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 

Today on Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty speaks to Ross Cullen, Paris Bureau Chief for Feature Story News, about one of the more bizarre and disturbing examples of online misinformation—an unfounded conspiracy theory claiming that France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, was born male.

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

It’s All-Ireland Hurling Final weekend — one of the biggest in the Irish sporting calendar. 

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

There is a battle-royal underway at the High Court in Dublin. Two of Ireland’s wealthiest men are going head-to-head over a historic estate—and the outcome could reshape the Munster land market. 

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 

In July, Newstalk Daily asked a big question: Can we fix Ireland’s crippling grocery prices? The response from listeners was huge – and many of you wanted us to go one step further. You asked: how do prices in the Republic compare with those in the North? 

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. 

For more than a decade, the question has lingered: should Irish citizens living overseas, and those in Northern Ireland, get to vote for the president? Governments have promised action, launched strategies, and made nods to the global Irish community. Yet, as the next Áras contest approaches, the pledge has quietly vanished from the political to-do list. 

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. 

It’s been hailed as a miracle cure for obesity, name-dropped by Elon Musk, and whispered about behind the velvet ropes of Hollywood. Now, Ozempic is at the centre of a €60 billion market shock that’s shaken not just the pharmaceutical world but the wider economy. 

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. 

A new investigation by Newstalk has revealed that almost 18,000 sexual offence cases were referred by Gardaí to the Director of Public Prosecutions over the past decade – but nearly two-thirds never resulted in prosecution. 

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. 

This weekend, Vanessa Whyte and her two teenage children will be laid to rest in County Clare. They were shot dead in their home in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, last week — a brutal act of violence that’s once again drawn attention to the shocking femicide rate in Northern Ireland. 

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. 

She’s been called “a preposterously fun pop star who will surely be massive” - and for many, that moment has arrived. 

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 

In today's consumer-focused podcast, Ciara Doherty dives into one of the most pressing issues facing households across the country: the soaring cost of food. Irish shoppers are now paying the second-highest grocery prices in the Eurozone, and it's hitting families hard. According to the CSO, food price inflation is running at more than double the overall rate – meaning your weekly shop is getting more expensive, even as your salary stays the same. 

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. 

This Friday, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska, a setting that’s far from the marble halls of Brussels or the media glare of Geneva. So why Alaska, and what does it mean for the rest of the world? Sean Defoe takes the host’s chair for today’s podcast to unpack the optics, the strategy, and the stakes with Euronews Europe Correspondent Shona Murray. 

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. 

Katie Taylor has done it again. Weeks after her masterful victory over Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden - the third and decisive chapter in one of boxing’s greatest rivalries - Ireland’s most decorated fighter finds herself at a pivotal moment. At 39, she remains a world champion at the peak of her craft, but talk of retirement, the long-delayed dream of a Croke Park homecoming, and even whispers about her private life are fuelling speculation about what comes next. 

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. 

Ireland’s refugee and asylum seeker accommodation system has transformed into a multi-billion-euro industry, one increasingly dominated by a small circle of private operators. As the number of people in the International Protection Accommodation Service has surged in recent years, the State has turned to hotel chains, contractors and entrepreneurs to provide beds, often at eye-watering cost to the taxpayer. Since 2021, more than €5 billion has been spent housing people fleeing war, persecution and instability - but much of that money has ended up in the hands of firms whose operations are largely shielded from public scrutiny. 

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. 

From red carpets to red swimsuits, from action films to heartfelt comebacks, today’s podcast is all about two of the most surprising stars caught in a swirl of romance rumours: Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson. 

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. 

Is Catholicism making a quiet comeback among the very generation many assumed had walked away from faith for good? 

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.

What does it actually mean to recognise a state - and who gets to decide? 

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 

Labour TD Marie Sherlock wants vasectomies made free for all - and the Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is considering it. But would Irish men actually go for it? Or would they rather leave responsibility for contraception to their partners? 

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 

It’s peak gig and festival season - and if you’ve just stumbled out of All Together Now or you’re counting down to Electric Picnic or Oasis at Croke Park, you’re not alone. But why does buying a concert ticket in 2025 feel more like booking a Ryanair flight than a night out with your mates? 

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. 

Three of the world’s most controversial leaders are meeting in Beijing this week - North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and China’s Xi Jinping. But behind the pomp of China’s Victory Day parade lies a far darker story, and the stakes for global politics couldn’t be higher. 

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. 

The new school term is here, but is technology really making our kids smarter, or just more distracted? In 2025, “back to school” means iPads instead of copybooks, interactive whiteboards instead of chalk, and artificial intelligence edging its way into lesson planning. Technology promises to transform education, but it also risks widening the gap between those who can keep up, and those who can’t. 

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. 

By the morning of August 21st, 2020, Golfgate was no longer just a story - it was a political earthquake. The Irish Examiner’s front-page splash had gone viral overnight. Lunchtime Live on Newstalk and Liveline on Radio 1 were flooded with furious callers, many recounting their own cancelled weddings, funerals, and family events. Radio phone-ins and comment lines seethed with anger. Social media was ablaze. The idea that those at the top had played by a different set of rules cut deep into the national psyche. 

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. 

Five years ago this summer, Ireland was just five months into the Covid-19 crisis. Daily case numbers were climbing again, new restrictions had just been announced, and the country was under pressure to curb social contact. Weddings were shrinking, GAA matches were being played in empty stadiums, and pubs without food remained shut. Against this backdrop, more than eighty people gathered in the Station House Hotel in Clifden for a dinner of the Oireachtas Golf Society. The fallout from that evening would become one of the most politically explosive stories of the pandemic: Golfgate. 

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. 

Once untouchable, now sidelined, Britain’s most infamous royals are facing a season of scrutiny like no other. Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir Nobody’s Girl promises to shine a devastating light on Prince Andrew’s role in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. For the Duke of York, already living in social exile, the book could reignite questions the Palace hoped were buried forever. 

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 Donegal and across Ireland, families are still living in homes that are literally falling apart, victims of a defective block crisis that shows little sign of solution. Walls split, roofs sag, and the emotional toll on homeowners is extraordinary. For Professor Paul Dunlop, the story is personal: his own home is condemned and due for demolition, and he recently received grant approval to rebuild. 

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. 

When Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering three family members with a mushroom-laced beef Wellington, the story gripped not just Australia but the world. It was a case of family, food, betrayal - and a courtroom drama that has only grown more extraordinary. 

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 

Today on Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty explores a fast-growing alternative to traditional education in Ireland: homeschooling. With more parents asking “how does homeschooling work in Ireland?” and whether it can really replace the classroom, we look at what life outside the school gates actually looks like. 

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.