In The News

On Tuesday, Simon Harris will be officially voted into office by TDs in Dáil Éireann and become the new Taoiseach.Harris, who is the youngest ever Taoiseach at 37, will then reveal his Cabinet reshuffle, by which he hopes to signal a fresh start for the Government and for the Fine Gael party.But can the Wicklow TD turn youthful enthusiasm into meaningful action? And how will he decide bring on his Cabinet picks?We ask Political Editor Pat Leahy about what we've learned about Harris since he took over as Fine Gael leader and the challenges that lie ahead for Ireland’s new Taoiseach. Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly three years have passed since Irish schools started reopening in March 2021 and children began returning to the educational environment that was abruptly erased from their lives the previous year.In the months that followed children and teens, who had spent months locked in their homes keeping up with classes through Zoom lessons, began reacclimatising to the social environment of a busy classroom. For most, this was relief. But for a small but significant cohort, returning to school was not desirable or, in some cases, even possible.Three years on, school absenteeism is on the rise, with reports that school refusal and school phobia have become a big issue for principals and school staff across the country.Tusla has warned that “unexplained” school absences have quadrupled, raising concerns that thousands of young people are missing out on an education.In the most extreme cases, there are serious health issues at play. But there are a whole host of other reasons why other children refuse to leave their homes in the morning and attend classes.Irish Times health editor Carl O’Brien joins In The News podcast to discuss the rise of school phobia among Irish children, while Kerry Grantham shares the story of her son James – the once “happy-go-lucky” child who became “gripped with terror” shortly after starting secondary school in 2021.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From stately townhouses to cinema screens and Turkish baths, Grafton Street has had a fascinating and varied history. But how did it evolve to become the premium retail street that it is today? And who now owns the ornate buildings that house some of our favourite shops and meeting spots? Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly and reporter Colm Keena take us on a fascinating virtual walk down Dublin's most salubrious thoroughfare, with a look at some of our best known landmarks.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Libya, former members of the Irish Defence Forces, including men who served in the elite Army Rangers Wing have been providing training for a militia headed up Libyan strongman, Khalifa Haftar.It’s a lucrative business for the company called Irish Training Solutions but the work is an apparent breach of a United Nations arms embargo imposed on the volatile African country.Naomi O’Leary broke the story in the Irish Times on Wednesday and the official response was swift. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin called the revelations “deeply shocking”, saying that they cause “reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces”.O’Leary tells In the News about the sort of military training being provided by these former Irish soldiers, who is behind Irish Training Solutions, how much money is involved and, with providing military training in Libya specifically prohibited by the UN, what it means for the reputation of the Irish Defence Forces.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, suspected Israeli war planes bombed the Iranian consulate in Syria’s capital city of Damascus, marking a major escalation in Israel’s war in the Middle East. At least 11 people – including a senior Iranian commander – were killed in the attack which Iran’s foreign minister said was “a breach of all international conventions”. The Biden administration continues to urge restraint, while at the same time it is close to approving a major new weapons sale to Israel worth more than $18 billion (€16.7 billion). So how does this attack fit in to the long-running proxy war between Israel and Iran, now driven by the violence in Gaza? Security advisor, Duncan Bullivant, explains the implications at a time of dramatic rising tensions.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When he was elected president last November, Javier Milei promised to fix Argentina's ailing economy and divided society with radical reforms. How is that going? Irish Times contributor Tom Hennigan returns with an update on how the controversial leader is having a big impact on Argentina, yet still struggling to find the political support to implement his vision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was first published in January 2024. A door that blew off a Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off was not properly secured after maintenance to the aircraft, an investigation has found.This is just the latest in a list of very public crises for the airline behemoth that is still dealing with the fallout from 2018 and 2019 when two of its planes crashed, killing 346 people.Through a mixture of whistleblower information and dogged investigative journalism, Seattle-based Irish journalist Dominic Gates has reported on Boeing’s ongoing difficulties.In 2020 he won a Pulitzer Prize for his work on Boeing for The Seattle Times.He tells In the News what the latest findings mean for company and for passengers. Presented Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much is enough sleep? What is the best time to go to bed? What counts as a good night’s sleep?Is there any point in taking a nap and how long should it be? How do you know if your poor sleeping patterns have tipped over into insomnia? And is good sleep hygiene the secret to falling asleep?Anne Marie Boyhan left her corporate job to study to become a sleep consultant after years of trying to find solutions to her own sleeping difficulties.She founded the Sleep Care Company and she tells In the News that her clients come from all walks of life with a range of sleep issues. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Moscow attack which killed at least 137 people and injured many more was carried out by an Isis affiliate called Isis-K.On today’s In the News podcast, Colin P Clarke, director of research at the Soufan Group and an expert on domestic and transnational terrorism, explains why Russia was targeted by the Islamic jihadists and how Afghanistan post-2021 has become a safe haven for terrorists despite the Taliban’s war on Isis.Looking at the footage from inside the Crocus City Hall on March 22nd, he explores the planning and methodology of the four Tajikistan suspects in their attack and explains who Isis-K are, how they are funded and what do they ultimately want.As to Moscow’s claims that Ukraine was involved in the atrocity? Clarke says a firm no. And Ukraine-based reporter Dan McLaughlin explains how the Moscow propaganda machine has used the attack.And with the Paris Olympics just months away, Clarke, whose latest book is called After the Caliphate: The Islamic State and the Future Terrorist Diaspora, says the global terrorism threat from Isis-K is very real.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At least 13,000 children have died in Gaza in the last six months; more than in 4 years of global conflict. Despite the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday, life-saving food aid is still being denied to Palestinians throughout the strip. Unicef is warning of an imminent famine, as hundreds of thousands of people starve. The aid agency's James Elder is on the ground in Rafah where he's been expressing deep frustration at the "unnecessary restrictions and arbitrary denials" on food convoys gaining access to the enclave. He outlines the "annihilation" of whole cities, the desperation of children and their mothers and the special bond Palestinians have with Irish aid workers there.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time last year, the 1993 disappearance of Annie McCarrick, a young American woman living in Dublin, was upgraded to a murder inquiry.For three decades, it was believed the last definitive image captured of the American student came from the CCTV footage of her local AIB bank in Sandymount, Dublin on the day of her disappearance.However, the new Garda investigation has now determined that the CCTV image of McCarrick was, in fact, captured 11 days earlier.It's not the only aspect of the narrative about McCarrick's disappearance that has now been thrown into doubt. Journalist Áine Ryan, who has a personal connection to McCarrick, discusses the latest revelations surrounding the young American’s disappearance and her family and friends’ ongoing quest to find out what really happened in March 1993. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trafficking of women and girls into Ireland to work in the sex industry is one aspect of a transnational crime that has been discovered in a range of sectors, from food production to fishing, forced marriages to farming, nail bars to begging.And while trafficked people can come from all over the world, an increase in people brought into the country from eastern Europe under false pretences and then exploited in the labour market has been noted.Victims of human trafficking have been found - men, women and childen - but there have been just three convictions.Dr Nusha Yonkova, head of anti-human trafficking at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), tells In the News of the difficulty in getting accurate figures for human trafficking into Ireland, noting that while arrests give some indication of the scale of the crime, the numbers as noted by NGOs working with migrants suffering labour exploitation suggests a bigger problem.Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher explains what we know about the criminals who organise and profit from trafficking people into Ireland and discusses the resources available to the Garda to combat this deadly, exploitative crime.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it was put to Alexander McCartney that he had, in the words of the Belfast court, “unlawfully killed a female child”, the 26-year-old from Northern Ireland pleaded guilty. That child was just 12 years-old, she lived outside the UK and McCartney had never even met her but, through what the judge described as the worst case of “catfishing” every to come before the courts, his online coercian and blackmail of the child drove her to take her own life.McCartney was a prolific cyber child abuser - he has admitted multiple offences of causing a child to engage in a sex act, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child. The university student from Newry also admitted over 50 charges of blackmail and multiple offences of possessing indecent images of children.He will be sentenced in May. Irish Time Northern Correspondent Seanín Graham talks to Bernice Harrison about how the global 'catfishing' investigation led police to McCartney's house in rural Armagh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on In the News we bring you an episode of our sister podcast, Inside Politics. Pat Leahy, Jennifer Bray and Jack Horgan-Jones joined host Hugh Linehan to discuss the unexpected announcement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that he is resigning as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach. They discuss the questions surrounding the timing and impact of his decision, the potential reasons behind his departure and its implications for Fine Gael. They also assess potential candidates for Varadkar’s successor and the challenges facing the party in the upcoming election.New episodes of Inside Politics are available each Wednesday and Friday - wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced he is to step down. Listen to his full speech in this bonus episode. More to follow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this week, an Irish Times investigation revealed a rising number of foreign students from outside the EU are using forged documents to secure study visas to work in Ireland. The Irish Times spoke to a number of people who availed of the scam and admitted to obtaining forged enrolment letters, medical insurance and attendance certificates when applying for student visas. Reporter Isabela Boechat, who has spent eight months working on the investigation, found Latin American students, particularly Brazilians are paying scammers between €600-€1,800, They negotiate the details via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger and then, never actually attend the school where they’re registered.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paedophile Bill Kenneally is serving an 18-year sentence for the sexual abuse of 15 young boys in Waterford in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.But it took until 2016, decades after the abuse occurred, for the former basketball coach to be sentenced for those crimes. That’s despite first coming to Garda attention in the mid-1980s when a brave young boy went into the Garda station on his own to report the abuse.So why did it take so long for him to be brought to justice? Who knew what and when?An official inquiry was set up in 2018 to answer those questions. Last week, for the first time, Kenneally, 73, was called to give evidence and he showed himself to be unrepentant. For his brave victims who again had to face their abuser, it was yet another difficult chapter in their ongoing search for answers.Irish Times reporter Ronan McGreevy was at the hearing. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In discussions around empire and colonisation, including popular movements such as Black Lives Matter and Rhodes Must Fall, Ireland likes to think itself on the “right” side of history, as colonised victims of empire.But as Trinity College Dublin historian Prof Jane Ohlmeyer explores in her new book, Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism, and the Early Modern World, it’s not as simple as that.On the island of Monsterrat in the West Indies, for example, St Patrick’s Day is a national holiday - the only country outside Ireland to mark the day officially. But the parades there are to celebrate an unsuccessful revolt by enslaved islanders against the European whites - mostly Irish - who colonised it in the 17th century.There are stark examples too of the Irish in India - and other countries too - acting more like colonisers than colonised.Irish Times reporter and historian Ronan McGreevy interviewed Ohlmeyer and talks here about a troubling aspect of Irish history. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland has the highest reported rate of gonorrhoea infection across 30 European countries, with a record number of cases reported in Ireland in 2022, according to research published last week.What is driving this surge in infections in Ireland and how concerned are younger Irish people about contracting sexually transmitted infections?Today, on In the News, consultant of sexual health and HIV Dr Aisling Loy discusses the rise in STIS among younger people in Ireland and the longer term health implications of contracting these infections, particularly among women.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In February 2016, just three days after the notorious Regency Hotel Shooting, 59-year-old Eddie Hutch was gunned down outside his home in Dublin’s north inner city.Hutch’s murder was the first in a two year killing spree by the Kinahan cartel following the Regency ambush.To this day, no one has been charged with Hutch’s murder. However, that could now change. Gardaí have sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions with evidence they believe could link several men to the killing. Daniel Kinahan, who is currently based in Dubai, is just one of the suspects named in the file.How likely is it that the leader of the Kinahan cartel will end up in Garda handcuffs? And with no extradition treaty between Ireland and the UAE, how difficult will it be to bring Kinahan back here, if he is charged?Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Lally reflects on his attempts to track Daniel Kinahan down in Dubai last week, and discusses Garda strategies being used to extradite the cartel leader back to Ireland.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death was announced yesterday of broadcaster and journalist Charlie Bird. The former RTÉ chief news correspondent, who was 74 when he died, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2021.One of Ireland’s best-known journalists, he reported on of the biggest stories in Ireland and around the world through the 1980s, 1990s and into the 2000s.However, in many ways, it was Charlie Bird’s final years, following his MND diagnosis, that perhaps will leave the greatest mark on this country.Today, on In the News, Irish Times Ireland and Britain editor Mark Hennessy reflects on Charlie Bird’s four-decade long journalistic career and the advocacy work and campaigning which defined his final years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When "Niamh" began house-hunting in Dublin's suburbs, she soon noticed that viewings were often attended by agents who were using phones to live-stream the property to potential buyers in China - some of whom then outbid her. Estate agents have confirmed that it is now commonplace for wealthy Chinese nationals to bid strongly on houses in South Dublin. But why?The answers lie in the details of a now-defunct 'Golden Visa' scheme, the decline of China's own property market and the desire of upwardly-mobile Chinese parents to give their children a Western education. And why are these buyers free to take their money out of the Chinese economy and invest it in countries like Ireland?Guests: Irish Times reporter Colm Keena and Beijing correspondent Denis Staunton Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A large provider of accommodation for children in care, Ideal Care Services, has been found to have put young people at risk by failing to carry out proper background checks on staff.The company run by Jossy Akwuobi (45), from Tyrrelstown, Dublin, and his partner, Karen Akwuobi (39), has already been paid €9million by Tusla, the child and family agency.An internal Tusla report found Garda vetting files clearing staff to work for the company had been altered, while pre-employment checks of workers had been “fabricated”. The report, completed last July, said the standard of checks carried out on prospective care staff were found to be “grossly inadequate to safeguard vulnerable young people”.So who is evangelical pastor Jossy Akwuobi, and how was such a shocking lack of oversight allowed to go on? Irish Times reporter Jack Power broke the story and explains the background.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cillian Murphy looks unbeatable for the Best Actor gong. But who else should win at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday night? And who will win?Irish Times chief film correspondent Donald Clarke says that it’s shaping up to be Oppenheimer’s year at the Oscars. But what about Barbie? And could Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things, produced by Dublin-based Element Pictures, also do well?This time last year Irish hopes were high with The Banshees of Inisherin getting nine nominations - on the night it lost out in all its categories. Could the same happen to Poor Things with its 11 nods?The organisers will be nervous about any break in the relative silence about the Gaza conflict that has persisted throughout awards season. It might, says Clarke, just be time for an award winner to break the silence - once the statuette is safely in their hands. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, Russian media published an audio recording of high-ranking German military officers discussing weapons which could be used by Ukrainian military in the war against Russia.German officials immediately rejected any claims that the audio indicated Berlin was preparing for war against Moscow.The leak follows comments from German federal defence minister Boris Pistorius of how his country must be war-ready, or kriegstüchtig. Two years ago this remark would have caused uproar in Germany – but not anymore.Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron was criticised by European neighbours last week after suggesting it might be necessary to send ground troops to Ukraine. The Kremlin responded that any such deployment would lead to direct conflict between Russia and Nato.On today’s In the News podcast, Berlin correspondent Derek Scally discusses the implications of the military leaks and how European countries including France, Germany and Poland are preparing for an uncertain future overshadowed by an aggressive Russia.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're not sure how you're going to vote in Friday's referendum, you're not alone. According to an Irish Times / IPSOS B&A poll in February, 53% of those surveyed admitted to hardly knowing anything at all about the ballot taking place on March 8th. What seemed like a straightforward proposal to expand the definition of the family and remove the reference to women's 'duties' in the home, has turned into a confusing melange of views. Those in favour of changing the constitution include the government, the vast majority of the Opposition as well as many NGOs. Calls to vote No are coming from groups as disparate as disability rights activists, lawyers and bishops. If you've been too busy until now to take a look at the amendments and the arguments for and against, Political Correspondent, Jennifer Bray, explains it all in just 26 minutes.Presented by Sorcha Pollak and produced by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dublin’s office market is likely to get worse before it gets better with no relief in sight until 2027 amid a collapse in demand and a glut of new developments coming on stream. Last week the Central Bank aired its concerns over the situation. So will there by a crash in the office market sector and what might that mean for the economy?John McCartney from BNP Paribas Real Estate explains why the fall in demand is part of a cycle and explores the forces – including troubles in the ICT sector and post-pandemic WFH – that have brought us to this tipping point.Irish Times columnist Una Mullally is in no doubt that the crash has already begun and that poor planning has blighted Dublin with empty newly-built office blocks dotting the city while housing is so desperately needed.Both explain where they are coming from and how we can move on.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death last month of a 33-year-year old first-time mother at University Hospital Limerick once again put the troubled hospital in the headlines.Shortly before that tragedy, a teenage girl with breathing difficulties died in the emergency department, while in 2022 Aoife Johnston (16) who had endured a long wait for care, died there. The HSE has apologised to her family.And UHL’s chaotic trolley situation shows little sign of improving; last month it broke the record for the highest number of patients on trolleys since records began in 2006, with 150 people waiting for beds on February 7th.So what’s the problem? It doesn’t seem to be money or staffing levels – so how can it be fixed?Health correspondent Paul Cullen explains UHL’s the troubling issues, what staff are saying and explores the solutions. We also hear from Melanie Sheehan Cleary, who's 21 year-old daughter Eve died just hours after being discharged from UHL in 2019.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health and family editor Damian Cullen had already ticked off a long list of diets before he hit on intermittent fasting and three years later, and 16kg lighter, he has stuck to the plan. He eats in an eight-hour window. At the more extreme end of intermittent fasting, British prime minister Rishi Sunak follows the so called “monk fast” of eating nothing for a 36-year period every week.As a way of losing weight, timed eating is probably the weight loss method of the moment; it follows a long list of diets, some of which became wildly popular for a time and then slid off the menu.Cullen explains how it works for him, while dietician Sarah Keogh gives the expert view. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Diarmuid Hayes send a strange tweet from his employer MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan's account, the resulting mockery caused huge damage to Flanagan's life and reputation. But why did Hayes do it? Naomi O'Leary and Jack Power report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week’s FAI’s appearance before the Public Accounts Committee did not go particularly well. Members of the committee expressed concern regarding the role of the chief executive after Jonathan Hill explained that an €11,500 payment in lieu of holidays not taken was just a “miscalculation”. His request for this payment at the end of an email was just a joke, he said. But many of the documents submitted to the committee were heavily redacted. Meanwhile, more than three months after Stephen Kenny stepped down, the FAI has yet to appoint a new manager to the men’s Irish football team. On today’s In the News podcast Irish Times sports writer Malachy Clerkin explores why the FAI seems unable to get its house in order. Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been another awful week for the national broadcaster. Last Friday, RTÉ board chairwoman Siún Ní Raghallaigh resigned after her position was undermined by Minister for Media Catherine Martin live on television.RTÉ's board reacted with anger following what is being viewed politically as the forced resignation Ms Ní Raghallaigh, which came amid a deepening row over big exit payouts for departing executives.Today, members of the Public Accounts Committee will meet to finalise a 70-page report on recent revelations around events in RTÉ. And this evening, Ms Martin is due to appear before the Oireachtas media committee to answer questions about her comments on RTÉ's Prime Time.But how did we reach this point and what does it mean for the efforts to fix the stricken broadcaster? Guest: Current Affairs Editor Arthur Beesley.Presented by Sorcha Pollak.Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years ago, what would become 105,000 Ukrainians began arriving in Ireland to seek refuge from the Russian invasion of their country.They were dispersed all around the State, including to Bundoran in Donegal, a seaside town and for generations a welcoming holiday destination.How have they adjusted to living so far from their war-torn homes? Sorcha Pollak travelled to Bundoran to talk to the new arrivals and locals about welcomes, integration and long-term plans.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renegade solicitor Michael Lynn stole €18 million from the banks at the height of the Celtic Tiger property boom. It took until this week for justice to be served, when Lynn was sentenced to 5½ years in prison.After the sentence was handed down, the prosecution dropped a bombshell – gardaí believe the fraudster may still control some of the stolen money and suspect him of attempting to launder it here in Ireland. An investigation is underway. Colm Keena was in court for the sentencing and he explains Lynn’s crime, how he evaded justice for so long and what will happen now. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades concerns were raised at Government level that the Russian Embassy in Dublin was an espionage hub, with the sheer scale of the Soviet diplomatic mission to the State prompting suspicions over spying.However, the war in Ukraine emboldened the Government to take action. Russian diplomats have been expelled, new visas refused and now the embassy’s staff in Dublin has been reduced from 30 to 15.This follows the refusal to grant Moscow permission to expand the Rathgar embassy on “national security” grounds.Crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher explains why the Government has at last taken action. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, a consignment of synthetic drugs, thought to be crystal meth worth €32.8 million, were seized in Cork Port. It is believed the shipment, which was destined for the Australian market, was owned by the Sinaloa cartel, Mexico’s deadliest drugs gang. Gardaí are now investigating whether a number of Irish men based in Cork and Kerry have been acting as agents for the cartel. So far, they have made two arrests. Irish Times Crime and Security editor Conor Lally reports. We also hear from Karol Suarez, a journalist based in Mexican City who explains how the Sinaloa cartel, often associated with the Netflix show Narcos, has become one of the most powerful and dangerous drug-trafficking gangs in the world.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, An Bord Pleanála met for its first hearing in 15 years into Dublin’s planned underground rail line. The €9.5 billion MetroLink, as it is now known, has been put on hold numerous times since it was first announced as the Metro West plan in 2005.The proposed underground line would run from north of Swords to Dublin Airport, then on to Ballymun, Glasnevin, O’Connell Street and St Stephen’s Green before terminating at Charlemont Street, with 16 stations in all.Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said he believes the long-awaited MetroLink will be granted planning permission before the end of this year and that construction will be completed by the early 2030s.Many Dubliners are worried about how the construction of this line, particularly close to the city centre, will disrupt their homes and livelihoods.However, as one of the only major cities in Europe without an underground transport system, Metrolink could be transformative for Dublin city and its residents in the long term, says Irish Times Dublin editor Olivia Kelly, who joins today’s episode of In the News.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previously on In the News, Irish Times Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary explained how Dublin-based landlord Marc Godart deployed CCTV to monitor tenants in their homes, faced accusations of unlawful eviction and failed to pay compensation to former tenants as ordered by the Residential Tenancies Board.On today’s episode Naomi shares a new cache of audio files and documents that show how Luxembourger Godart treats his employees, including summary dismissal and fines for minor infractions.The documents also reveal attempts to establish new companies under the identities of people unconnected with Godart and his family to avoid public scrutiny of his property operations, and the offering of payment to workers to find people willing to allow the use of their identity to set up an Airbnb account.Also on the podcast: Those working for Godart are hired as independent contractors, and their contracts stipulate that Luxembourg law applies to their relationship with Godart’s companies.But as Claire Bruton, a barrister specialising in employment law, explains, the law is not on Godart’s side when it comes to these arrangements.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Jonsson, 41, vanished in Dublin in 2019 while in Ireland to play poker. A father of four and a taxi driver in his native Iceland, he was travelling with his fiance.For some reason he left his hotel, The Bonnington, on a bright February afternoon; CCTV cameras capture him walking along the busy road. After the second sighting near the hotel, he vanishes. He didn’t know the area and had no friends in Ireland.To date, no trace of Jonsson has been found. Then this week gardaí, acting on information contained in anonymous letters, searched a park in nearby Santry. Crime and security editor Conor Lally explains this unusual missing persons case. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly two and half years since passed since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in after the US withdrew the last of its troops from the country. Since then, the country has grappled with a humanitarian crisis which has forced millions of Afghans abroad.Women’s rights and freedoms have been severely restricted since the Taliban takeover in 2021 and girls in Afghanistan can no longer attend school beyond sixth grade.Meanwhile, Taliban authorities have reportedly increased the arbitrary detention of journalists, human rights defenders and civil society activists while there have been repeated reports of extrajudicial killings and torture and brutal treatment.European countries, including Ireland, strongly advise against travel to the impoverished Asian country where the Islamic State terror group continues to launch lethal attacks against Shia minorities and the Taliban.However, a small number of tour operators are now offering trips to Afghanistan for adventurous travellers seeking a trip outside the norm. And while foreign visitors are strongly advised by their governments not to visit the country, some tour operators say bringing tourists to the country is beneficial for Afghan communities.Journalist Hannah McCarthy discusses the small number of risk-taking tourists who are ignoring the travel advice and choosing to the visit the most dangerous country in the world.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On January 28th two activists from Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack) threw soup at the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris.Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece is safely behind glass and no real harm was done but the act made headlines around the world. So does shock coverage matter more than the message?And will climate activists get more radical in their protests as the crisis deepens?Dana Fisher, director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity at American University in Washington and author of Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action explains why protesters behave the way they do and what turns an interested bystander into a radical activist.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since 2018, there have been 23 arson attacks with a suspected anti-immigration motivation on buildings earmarked, or just rumoured for use, as accommodation or asylum seekers. Thirteen of these attack have taken place in the past year.A flurry of arrests and search operations targeting those behind these arson attacks have taken place since early February. However, at the same time, the attacks have continued. The question on the minds of politicians, Gardaí and the public is, who is behind these attacks?Is it a centrally organised far-right group, a loose network of anti-immigrant activists or just individual local criminals incited by online misinformation and racist rhetoric?Crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher discusses who is behind the wave of arson attacks across the country and what can be done, before someone is seriously injured, or killed, in the next fire.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A door that blew off a Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off was not properly secured after maintenance to the aircraft, an investigation has found.This is just the latest in a list of very public crises for the airline behemoth that is still dealing with the fallout from 2018 and 2019 when two of its planes crashed, killing 346 people.Through a mixture of whistleblower information and dogged investigative journalism, Seattle-based Irish journalist Dominic Gates has reported on Boeing’s ongoing difficulties.In 2020 he won a Pulitzer Prize for his work on Boeing for The Seattle Times.He tells In the News what the latest findings mean for company and for passengers. Presented Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Jonathan Glazer’s multi-Oscar nominated and breathtaking new film, The Zone of Interest, Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), commandant of the Auschwitz camp, and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) live an idyllic life in their beautiful house and lush garden with their children.We are, as Irish Times chief film correspondent Donald Clarke explains, “dumped into their disconcertingly ordinary world”. Over the garden wall is the death camp and while we hear sounds and see forbidding buildings and smoke-billowing chimneys we are never shown the horrors or the Jewish victims.Clarke also explains the power of Glazer’s filming methods and why this Holocaust film has become such a critically acclaimed hit. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly brought plans to Cabinet for an urgent catch-up vaccination programme for young people at risk at contracting measles. Measles cases have soared across Europe since the start of 2023, while in England, 170 cases of measles were notified in an outbreak in the West Midlands between December 2023 and mid-January 2024. The HSE is now warning that the probability of an outbreak in Ireland high and falling rates of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine uptake in Ireland are also a cause for concern. How dangerous is measles and how many people used to die from it before a vaccine was introduced? Who is most at risk if they do contract this highly contagious virus? And why is the virus spreading again, particularly among people in their 20s?Presented by Sorcha Pollak and produced by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of former Taoiseach John Bruton is a moment to remember the life of a decent man and a talented politician, but also an opportunity to reflect on how much Ireland has changed since the brief period he held power - and to think about how things might have been different. A second term for Bruton could have led Ireland on a radically different path, says political Editor Pat Leahy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The murder last February of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender girl, shocked Britain. She had been stabbed 28 times, in a public park, in broad daylight.In December, a jury at Manchester Crown Court found two teenagers, Girl X and Boy Y, guilty of the murder; they had lured Ghey to the park to satisfy an “obsession” with death.The judge said she would impose a life sentence but would adjourn to February 2nd to decide a minimum tariff. In an highly unusual move she also said she would name Girl X and Boy Y. We now know they are Scarlet Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe. On Friday they received minimum terms of 22 and 20 years respectively.Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul explains why the naming of the two underage killers is highly unusual; and having spent time in Warrington he reports on the local reaction to this shocking killing. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is now a criminal offence to have an XL Bully dog in England and Wales, although some exemptions do apply. New rules were brought in to stop serious and fatal attacks by the breed and the legislation makes four breeds of dog, originally bred for fighting, illegal including American Pitbull terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos and Fila Brazileiro.Scotland is to implement a similar ban following an influx of banned dogs from England and Wales as owners refused to have their dogs put down, choosing to rehome them across the border. Does the move by Scotland have implications for Ireland?Dog trainer and behaviourist Nanci Creedon explains just why these dogs have become the subject of legislation and explains the Irish context. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beijing correspondent Denis Staunton on why China sees Ireland as a potential friend at at time when other Western countries are growing increasingly wary of the Asian superpower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immigration has overtaken housing and the cost-of-living to become the main issue on the minds of voters, according to a new Irish Times and Ipsos Behaviour and Attitudes survey. The public sentiment research coincides with a study by Maynooth University of what protesters at migration-related rallies really want. Dr Barry Cannon and Shane Murphy have found locals cite security fears, a scarcity of resources, lack of government consultation and the suitability of accommodation sites, in that order. Although most sought to distance themselves from far-right agitators, they simultaneously engaged with racist tropes. Dr Barry says it's time to level with people about the pros and cons of immigration without allowing the far right to set the parameters of the debate. He explains how racism is so embedded we hardly see it, how middle-income earners benefit from migration while those from lower-income groups may not, and how a failure to hold a discourse in politics and the media is exacerbating the situation. In The News attempts to have that conversation today with Dr Cannon and Irish Times Political Correspondent, Jennifer Bray.Presented by Sorcha Pollak and produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan.For full access to Irish Times journalism including all the latest breaking news on immigration, go to www.irishtimes.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.