In The News

Epizody

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  Will Jim O’Callaghan back down in solicitors’ pay dispute? 22.10.2026 24min

  The four-month dispute between criminal defence solicitors in the free legal aid system and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan took a turn for the worse this week, with an escalation in both action and rhetoric.Solicitors have now withdrawn their services to include people held in custody and cases involving children.As the backlog in the courts grows, the Minister accused protesting solicitors of deliberately targeting rape trials. When that was indignantly denied, O’Callaghan doubled-down on his accusation.The cost to the State of the free criminal legal aid system has risen from under €50 million in 2014 to a projected €120 million last year; the new flat fee payment structure aims to keep costs in check. Solicitors say it is not enough to cover lengthy and complex cases and will reduce the number of solicitors making themselves available for the free scheme.With acrimony intensifying, the Minister has written to the Law Society asking for a meeting.But according to Irish Times political correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones it’s too early to see that as the beginning of the end to this apparently intractable row.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  One father’s fight to get help for his out-of-control teenage son 21.10.2026 20min

  In recent months, a disturbing social media trend has emerged online in Ireland. Groups of masked teenage boys are stealing cars, taunting Gardaí, driving at high speeds and in some cases, against oncoming traffic. Recently Irish Times social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland spoke to the father of a young teenage boy, who has become part of a group stealing cars and sharing the footage online. His father is calling on the state to step in and detain his son or place him in special care, before he harms himself or anyone else.In today’s episode, Kitty explores how this case is representative of the wider crisis in the state care system.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What led to the eruption of violence across France last weekend? 20.10.2026 22min

  In Paris and beyond last weekend, half a million people took to the streets in protest. Those highlighting the cost-of-living crisis joined the ongoing student protest over the state of the French public education system. But the anti-Government sentiment turned violent on Saturday, with historic public buildings set alight, shops destroyed and looted, and over two thousand arrests being made. With police on streets quickly overwhelmed as events escalated, the blame game and political points scoring began in earnest.What sparked Saturday’s violence and will French President Emmanuel Macron be able to restore some order with more protests planned?Irish Times Paris-based Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary has been following the protests closely and she joined host Aideen Finnegan to explain the backdrop to last Saturday’s eruption of violence.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Has Elon Musk invented a flying car? 19.10.2026 20min

  In Texas last week, Elon Musk told an invited audience they were about to “see some crazy stuff tonight”.It turned out to be a new version of Tesla’s Roadster sports car, this one equipped with thrusters to make the electric car fly.As the audience gasped, the Roadster sped up a steep ramp, took off, did a spin and then fell to the ground aided by air jets. There was no driver at the wheel. His SpaceX company helped develop the model.China already has several flying car models at advanced test stage. However a key difference is that they look like a cross between a large drone and a helicopter, while the Roadster looks like a car.But will his vision of a car flying over highways come to fruition, and when?Motoring journalist Neil Briscoe explains.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The inside story of UDA commander Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair 17.10.2026 41min

  A man once regarded as one of the most feared loyalist paramilitary commanders of the Troubles now lives a largely quiet life in Scotland. But the legacy of Johnny Adair remains one of violence and intimidation.At the height of his power in the 1990s, Adair was blamed for dozens of killings and viewed by both the British and Irish governments as a serious threat to peace. Feared by republicans, nationalists and even rivals within loyalism, he cultivated a reputation that made him one of the most notorious figures of the conflict.Yet his influence collapsed as bitter feuds engulfed loyalism in the early 2000s, forcing him to flee Northern Ireland and begin a new life in Britain.So who was, and who is, Johnny Adair? What shaped him, and how should his role in the Troubles be understood today? On this episode, we hear from historian and author Aaron Edwards about his new book, Enemies Within: The Explosive True Story of Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair.Presented by Mark Hennessy. Produced by Andrew McNair and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ammi Burke’s seven-year battle to get her job back 16.10.2026 19min

  Ammi Burke, a young solicitor from Castlebar, Co Mayo, was dismissed by Arthur Cox Solicitors in November 2019 and is now on her third legal challenge to her dismissal. In the Labour Court in Dublin this week, her former employers laid out its reasons for the dismissal and the events that led up to it that action. Burke rejected Arthur Cox’s assertions, and more will be heard from her when the court resumes in early 2027.She joined the prestigious firm as a trainee in 2016, qualified as a solicitor two years later and in January 2019, a key event, as detailed in the court, took place. Since her dismissal, she says she has been unable to get another job in her chosen profession and she wants her position back.Two long days in the Labour Court were not enough to finish the case, and both sides will be back before the court in January. Burke, a member of the well-known evangelical Christian Burke family, is representing herself; Peter Ward SC is representing Arthur Cox.Irish Times reporter Ronan McGreevy was in court to hear both sides, and he reports on the proceedings.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Sally Rooney's books will no longer be sold in the UK 15.10.2026 9min

  Bestselling author Sally Rooney has announced that her publisher will no longer supply her books to the UK market. Why? Books editor Martin Doyle explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why petrol bombs have become the weapon of choice for drug gangs in Ireland 15.10.2026 20min

  On Tuesday morning, the country awoke to news that a house fire in Waterford had claimed the lives of four members of the same family.Within hours of the blaze, Gardaí ruled out an accidental cause and upgraded the investigation to a murder inquiry.Though the investigation is at an early stage, detectives believe the attack was related to a drug debt. It’s thought a petrol bomb was thrown at the front door of the house, in an effort to intimidate the family.In recent years, the number of petrol bomb attacks on Irish homes has risen sharply. It's been described as 'the new epidemic'. So who’s carrying out these attacks? How difficult are they to investigate and why are drug gangs turning to petrol bombs to intimidate and extort? Irish Times crime and security editor Conor Lally has the latest.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Does President Trump's 'energy ceasefire' really exist? 14.10.2026 20min

  US president Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Ukraine and Russia had agreed an “energy ceasefire” effective immediately, warning either side against breaking the deal. The only problem was that the warring neighbours, who have made attacking each other’s energy plants a key plank of their attack strategy, appeared not to have even heard of the agreement. The statement came after another torrid 48 hours in relations between the White House and Kyiv, during which Trump ordered the suspension of sanctions on Russian diesel exports, again blamed Ukraine for failing to end the war, and said it was time for the embattled country to “get a new president”. Do this latest round of comments from the White House indicate a fall-off in US support for Ukraine? And what might that mean for the eastern European country as it enters a winter that promises to be so challenging that analysts have suggested a humanitarian crisis could follow? Dan McLaughlin in Lviv reports. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Strike: is there any chance it could be called off? 13.10.2026 11min

  On Wednesday Ireland is facing the biggest coordinated public sector strike since 2009. To find out what it is about, why it hasn't been averted despite the Government's offer to talk with unions and whether it still could be called off, we talk to Irish Times work correspondent Emmet Malone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How notorious predator George Gibney finally faced justice 12.10.2026 30min

  Before the summer court recess George Gibney (77), former Irish Olympic swimming coach, was found guilty of sexually abusing four girls in the 1970s and 1980s.The jury found him guilty of 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape of children.One of Ireland’s most notorious paedophiles, he was extradited from Florida last year where he had escaped justice for decades.Due to reporting restrictions he was referred to as “sports coach” but as soon as the guilty verdict was announced, he could be named.Sentencing Gibney on Monday, Judge Mícheál O’Higgins handed down an aggregate sentence of 16 years and eight months, with 14 months suspended. This results in a sentence of 15 years and six months in prison.More than 30 years after he first broke the story about Gibney’s crimes, sports writer Johnny Watterson was in court this week as the disgraced swimming coach learned his fate. In today's episode, he joins Bernice Harrison to discuss three decades of writing about Gibney and the long road to justice for the victims. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Who was the millionaire who died in a homeless hostel in Galway? 12.10.2026 20min

  For years Victor Spaggiari was a familiar sight on the streets of Galway.A homeless man, he lived in the Cope Hostel and spent his days sitting on a bench in the city. He spoke little, caused no trouble and seemed content. When he died in 2024 aged 65, his funeral was small and he was buried in the city, far from his Italian birthplace.Then, when his will went to probate it emerged that Victor was a millionaire and he had left his fortune to a cousin in Milan. So who was Victor? How did he come by the money? Why didn’t he spend it? And why did he spend his adult life in Ireland?Intrigued by the story Irish Times senior feature writer Rosita Boland went to Galway to find out more about how Victor lived and Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary – who joins me on the podcast – tracked down his cousin in Milan to discover about Victor’s childhood.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The astonishing fall of a German spymaster 09.10.2026 21min

  It’s a story that could have come straight out a John le Carré thriller. The retired German spy chief accused of selling classified information amounting to thousands of secret documents; an alleged act of treason that continued for years and was only uncovered during a kidnapping investigation involving a steakhouse heiress and ex-Israeli spies.August Hanning, head of the BND foreign intelligence agency for seven years until 2005, faces charges of treasonous espionage after the 80-year-old was arrested during a dawn raid on his home on Tuesday.The focus now for investigators is his post-retirement consultancy, which he set up in 2010 – the same year he is accused of buying and using classified information.It is Germany’s biggest espionage scandal as Irish Times Berlin correspondent Derek Scally reports.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What is the row between RTÉ and Minister Patrick O'Donovan really about? 08.10.2026 13min

  Jack Horgan-Jones has the latest on a row that has blown up in the aftermath of Tuesday's Budget, reopening RTÉ's rolling funding crisis and leaving questions unanswered about why Minister for Media Patrick O'Donovan "reneged" on a funding commitment to the broadcaster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How the eviction of an 87-year-old woman sparked a political crisis in Spain 08.10.2026 27min

  Over the past two weeks, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Spain to protest the country’s worsening housing crisis. The demonstrations were triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maria del Carmen Abascal, from her home in Madrid.Known in Spain simply as Maricarmen, she had lived in the same apartment for more than seven decades and was evicted after it was sold to a private investment company. She died in a hospital in Madrid two weeks later.In response to the public outcry following her eviction, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez put forward several emergency housing measures. However, when the proposals were rejected by Parliament, he called a snap general election for November 29th.But will the Prime Minister’s gamble pay off? Is it likely his party will lead the next government and could this surprise election pave the way for parties on the right to seize power?Irish Times contributor Guy Hedgecoe speaks to Bernice Harrison from Madrid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What will happen to Christa Pike, the Tennessee woman who survived the lethal injection? 07.10.2026 20min

  Christa Pike spent 30 years in jail in Tennessee on death row, waiting for the day the state would kill her. When that day finally came, last week, she was first given a lethal injection, then a second one when the first dose failed. She survived that too and the 50-year-old convicted murderer was taken to hospital where she was placed on life support. So who was Colleen Slemmer, her teenage victim? What evidence convicted Pike and will this botched execution change attitudes to the death penalty in the US. Keith Duggan, Washington correspondent has been following the case. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Budget 2027: what's in it for you? 06.10.2026 11min

  Ministers Simon Harris and Jack Chambers have been explaining how the Government will tax and spend in the year ahead. They have promised to deliver changes we will feel in our daily lives. But will you really feel a difference in your daily life? Consumer affairs correspondent Conor Pope has been listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  A look behind Brendan Kavanagh's business deals 06.10.2026 21min

  Wicklow businessman Brendan Kavanagh (61) has an entrepreneurial skill for building connections and seeing gaps in the market. That has led him to set up multiple businesses including the successful education-technology focused Olive Group.But what happens when some of his high profile business relationships turn sour?TV sports pundit and psychotherapist Richie Sadlier has a tale to tell; so too has fitness influencer Mr Motivator (Derrick Evans).And it has been a turbulent time in the boardroom of Grinds 360. He cofounded the successful online grinds company in 2024 with investors that include former rugby player Brian O’Driscoll, who spoke in a video promoting its services, and Caelan Doris, who helped garner media attention.Irish Times investigations editor Mark Tighe has been following Kavanagh’s career for two years.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Andy Burnham says ‘Brexit has done more harm than good’ 05.10.2026 22min

  At the Labour Party conference last week, British prime minister Andy Burnham surprised delegates by putting the prospect of rejoining the EU firmly on the political agenda. In a rousing speech he said the Brexit vote in 2016 had left the country weaker and failed to allow Britain to “take back control” of its borders and rules, as promised by the Leave campaign. “Brexit has done more harm than good,” said Burnham. Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul, who was at the conference, explains how Burnham’s speech landed and what happens next. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Manchester City or Scam FC - the €1bn scandal 02.10.2026 26min

  Premier League football club Manchester City has been found guilty of boosting its coffers by more than €1bn by arranging “sham contracts” with big name commercial partners.The infringements to the league’s funding rules were found by an independent commission to have taken place between 2009 and 2018 – a time when the club experienced unprecedented success. So what did the club do with the money? And did this extraordinary level of funding drive its success?The club is owned by sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the vice president and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. Since taking over the club in 2008 his funds have helped turn it into a global brand.The scandal was first uncovered by Rui Pinto, a Portuguese computer hacker and founder of the Football Leaks website. He passed the information to Der Spiegel and the German newspaper developed the story to the point that the Premier League took Manchester City to the independent commission to adjudicate on the allegations.It’s a scandal that has rocked football.So what happens now? The club denies all wrongdoing and an appeals process is open to it. Other clubs are demanding a stiff penalty for City though it is unclear what that might look like.The Guardian’s investigations correspondent David Conn explains this turbulent week in the Premier League.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.