In The News

Documentary maker and journalist Brian Carroll was in court for the sentencing hearing of Molly Martens and her father Thomas for the killing of Molly’s husband Jason Corbett.For two weeks the strategy of their defence team was to paint the brutal killing that took place in the bedroom of the couple’s home in August 2015 as an act of self-defence.In episode one we hear how the Limerick man’s character was assassinated as the pair sought to present what they claimed were mitigating circumstances, all in a bid to have their jail-time minimised. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 it was under a ‘One Country, Two Systems’ governance model that guaranteed the continuation of a free press, an independent judiciary and the capitalism that underpins the former British colony’s wealth. The agreement was to stay in place until 2047 but in the past decade China has begun stamping out key freedoms, with XI Jingping apparently intent on undermining Hong Kong’s independence and on bringing the determinedly capitalist country more under its control. Irish Times China correspondent Denis Staunton explains how a security law introduced in 2020 is being used to stifle debate and press freedom and explores how far China is willing to go tear up the 1997 deal. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, a flood of foreign money has poured into the island of Cyprus, bringing extreme wealth to a few, but leaving the EU member status with a reputation as a shady financial hub.On Tuesday, the eight-month Cyprus Confidential investigation, carried out by dozens of journalists across the globe, revealed the sheer scale of dirty money that has been moved through Cyprus for oligarchs, tyrants, criminals and Russian president Vladamir Putin in recent years.Among them is billionaire and former owner of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich, who like many oligarchs was sanctioned in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.But how did Abramovich funnel money through Cypriot financial institutions and what does he buy with these vast sums of cash?Did Abramovich’s funding of Chelsea FC breach financial fair play rules? And, what financial investments did the Russian football club owner have in Ireland?Irish Times journalist Colm Keena, who is also a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists which produced Cyprus Confidential, joins the podcast to discuss the how Cyprus fuelled the Kremlin’s financial machine in the years leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has UK prime minister Rishi Sunk brought former prime minister David Cameron in from the cold after all these years? And what will Stella Braverman, fired as Home Secretary but still powerful on the right of the Conservative Party, do next? We ask London correspondent Mark Paul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Irish beef producers, China is a prize – capture that vast market and the troubled sector is secure. And Chinese influence in Asia means cracking that market is the key to opening others in the region such as South Korea.The Chinese though – mindful of the horrific global health crisis around beef in the 1990s – have a zero tolerance of BSE, a bovine disease that when it enters the food chain causes deadly CJD in humans. It closed its market to Irish beef three years ago when a case of BSE was found and it had only recently reopened when last week it was announced that a case of atypical BSE had been found in an Irish cow.The Chinese immediately shut down Irish beef imports. As farmer and agri journalist Hannah Quinn-Mulligan explains, it’s a massive reputational blow for Irish beef, and a major worry for Irish farmers. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since September, three nursing homes have been forced to close – in Kilkenny, Waterford and Cork. The residents, all vulnerable and elderly have had to be placed in new care facilities. All were private nursing homes, run by Aperee Living, part of a group of 10 such homes.The move follows highly critical reports by Hiqa which found serious issues in each of the homes. In some, the issues included financial irregularities. It’s a move the HSE does not take lightly. Irish Times reporter Jack Power has seen the Hiqa report and he explains what happened – and what next for Aperee Living. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around forty Irish citizens remain trapped inside Gaza after their names were not included on the list of foreign nationals allowed to leave the besieged area.On today’s podcast, Ibrahim Alagha, who usually lives in Blanchardstown with his wife and three children, describes the danger and hunger his family are facing on a daily bases.And Mark Weiss, who reports for The Irish Times in Israel, reflects on why most Israelis do not support calls for a ceasefire and discusses the efforts being made to secure the release of Irish-Israeli girl, Emily Hand, who was captured on October 7th.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A child’s understanding of war, and why it happens, begins and ends with their parents. But as a parent, knowing the right thing to say is not always easy.Should we shield our children from the news coming out of war zones like Gaza or Ukraine? Or should we just explain, as best we can, what is unfolding in these countries?As part of her parenting series for The Irish Times, columnist Jen Hogan has been investigating how we should talk to our children about difficult subjects. In this episode, she speaks to Sorcha Pollak about how we can help our children process the enormity and brutality of war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) unearthed an underground “banking” network offering an international money transfer system to Irish criminals. It allowed Irish drug gangs to move cash to continental Europe at low risk and without trace. The first step in this process was to bring the ill-gotten money to a local Chinese restaurant.Irish Times Crime Editor Conor Lally interviewed the head of Cab, who told him about the newly uncovered methods of hiding the proceeds of crime - and about how Instagram and reality TV are influencing the way criminals spend their money. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Molly Martens and her father Thomas Martens have agreed a plea deal with prosecutors in the United States to accept a lesser manslaughter charge over the 2015 killing of Molly’s husband, Limerick man Jason Corbett. The pair were convicted of second-degree murder in 2017 but were successful in having the conviction overturned.Irish Times Washington correspondent Martin Wall has been in court all week in Lexington, North Carolina for the sentencing hearing. He describes the extensive video evidence shown to the court and the disturbing statements given by the Martens as they attempt to convince the judge that they deserve a sentence at the lower end of the scale. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday, Brazilian Deliveroo rider João Ferreira was hit by a Garda car on the M50, while attempting to recover a stolen motorcycle. The 23 year-old lost part of his right leg in the incident. In this episode journalist Isabella Boechat tells Sorcha Pollak how the events unfolded as a group of riders tracked down the missing vehicle and explains how the Brazilian community in Ireland is calling for a full investigation and more protection for delivery riders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On December 16th, 1983, after 23 days in captivity, kidnapped supermarket executive Don Tidey was rescued. He had been taken by members of the Provisional IRA posing as gardaí while driving his daughter to school in Dublin. With the whole country transfixed by the kidnapping, Garda intelligence tracked the culprits and their victim down to Derrada Wood outside Ballinamore in Co Leitrim. And while the release of Tidey safe and well was a success, the day was shrouded in tragedy because during the rescue his captors shot dead Private Patrick Kelly and recruit Garda Gary Sheehan.The murders shocked the country and no one has been brought to justice for them. Most of the kidnappers got clean away. While the event has been the subject of much media attention over the years, Tidey has never spoken about it – until now when he talked to Tommy Conlon and Ronan McGreevy for their new book, The Kidnapping, A Hostage, a Desperate Manhunt and a Bloody Rescue. They talk to In the News about the events in 1983 and the aftermath. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hollywood is on strike. It’s about money of course, but at its heart is changing technology: the way streamers, such as Netflix and Apple TV have altered the way actors and writers work and are paid, and how AI is set to curb the income potential of many in the film and TV business.Irish Times chief film correspondent Donald Clark explains just why the industry is on the picket lines, what it means for upcoming TV and film schedules and why actors are no longer promoting their movies or even appearing on the red carpet. And as he explains, the strike shows no sign of ending.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.This episode was originally published in July 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this month multinational food giant Nestlé announced the shocking news that it is to close its Wyeth Nutrition plant in Askeaton, Co Limerick with a loss of 540 jobs. And the blame? China’s falling birth rate.The plant which has been providing steady employment in the region for decades produces one thing – baby formula. The company stated: “The number of newborn babies in China has declined sharply from some 18 million per year in 2016 to fewer than nine million projected in 2023.”So, while the falling birth rate in China has led to a decision to close a major employer in Limerick, Beijing correspondent Denis Staunton explains it also has massive implications globally and for China itself as the country tries to boost birth rates and reverse the “one child policy” implemented for 35 years. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this week, Yousef Palani was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering two men and seriously assaulting a third during a spree of violence in Sligo town in April 2022. In the space of just two days, Michael Snee and Aidan Moffit were found murdered in their own homes. A third man, Anthony Burke, had been viciously attacked and blinded in one eye a few days earlier.All three victims were gay men and had met Palani online through a dating app.In this episode, presenter Sorcha Pollak speaks to Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher about the Sligo murders that shocked the nation. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Web Summit co-founder and now ex-CEO Paddy Cosgrave was accustomed to speaking his mind. It never really did him, or his business, any harm, until his remarks about Israel annoyed too many of the wrong people. Now he's out. Can the company he built survive? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ashling Murphy murder trial began last week at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court. The 23-year-old teacher was killed in 2022 while out for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal near her home in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on a bright January afternoon. Last week, the nine men and three women of the jury listened as the prosecution laid out its case against Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovakian national. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder.As the trial starts its second week, Irish Times legal affairs correspondent Mary Carolan reports on what the court has heard so far. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two weeks on from the savage assault on Israeli civilians by Hamas that left 1,400 men, women and children dead, Israel’s fierce response continues to ramp up. 3,785 Palestinians have been killed and 12,493 wounded, the health ministry in Gaza said on Thursday. Hundreds of those were killed at a hospital in an incident that enflamed the Middle East but that Israel denies responsibility for. With no water, food or fuel getting in, and its citizens having nowhere to go, a dire humanitarian crisis is growing.On today’s In the News podcast, Tel Aviv-based journalist Hannah McCarthy gives an overview of the Hamas-Israel war. In a recording interrupted by an incoming missile warning, she explains the current situation, explores the impact of the visit of US president Joe Biden, the likelihood of a planned ground invasion of Gaza and the information war that has been a feature of this bloody conflict. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, just one day after a record number of Poles voted in their country’s general election, opposition leader and former prime minister Donald Tusk claimed a victory for his Civic Coalition. By Tuesday, it was clear that the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party would not be returning to power for a third term.The political change marks a massive shift in Poland and an end to PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s eight turbulent years in power which saw huge changes to the country’s rule of law, media freedom, migration policies and LGBTQ+ rights. Opposition parties have vowed to undo these reforms, which critics say undermine democratic standards, while also re-establishing international ties with Brussels.In this episode, Berlin-based Irish Times journalist Derek Scally speaks to Sorcha Pollak about how Mr Tusk plans to form a new Government, the challenges he faces in reversing PiS policy, and the international implications of what has been described as the most consequential European election in recent years.Presented by Sorcha Pollak and produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the homelessness crisis has deepened over the last decade, the Peter McVerry Trust, a key pillar in the State’s provision of homeless services, significantly expanded in an effort to tackle the problem.Now, with more than 600 properties and an annual income of €60 million, the charity finds itself in a major financial crisis, sparking fears of a collapse.On today’s In the News podcast, Irish Times reporter Jack Power explains what we know about how the charity ran into trouble - and what the crisis says about how Ireland tackles its chronic homelessness issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chuck Feeney, the Irish-American philanthropist, died last week at the age of 92. During his lifetime he quietly gave away almost all of his $8 billion fortune. Through his foundation Atlantic Philanthropies he funded massive life-changing education, health and science projects in Ireland, the US and around the world; as a proud Irish-American he helped fund the peace process leading to the Belfast Agreement. He wanted anonymity; he never wanted to be thanked or acknowledged or for his name to be on any of the buildings or institutions his money built.Journalist Conor O’Clery got to know Feeney when he was based in New York for The Irish Times and he went on to write his biography, The Billionaire who Wasn’t: How Chuck Feeney Made and Gave Away A Fortune Without Anyone Knowing. It was the beginning of long friendship. He tells In the News about this most inspirational, generous and visionary philanthropist whose legacy will live on. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow in Paris, Ireland will know has the hex been lifted, the bogeyman slain – has the team been able to make it out of the quarter-final stage in a Rugby World Cup? The team made it through the group of death, nailing a fourth win to top Pool B and progress in what has been an exciting tournament in France, characterised by a huge number of travelling Irish fans.The team has been picked with the same starting XV as faced Scotland last Saturday – but there are some changes on the bench.Irish Times sports writer John O’Sullivan who is in France for the duration, reporting on all games, talked to In the News at the start of the tournament to analyse Pool B. He’s back now to explain what might happen in the quarter-finals, the Joe Schmidt factor – and what he makes of Andy Farrell’s team selection for Saturday night in Paris. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How will the tax cuts and new spending announced in yesterday's Budget 2024 affect you? Irish Times consumer affairs correspondent Conor Pope is here to tell us.Plus: As a political set piece, Budget 2024 ticked a lot of boxes, but also handed the opposition some ammunition to attack the Government, especially the generous tax break for landlords, explains political reporter Jack Horgan-Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday morning, Hamas launched an unprecedented offensive by land, sea and air into Israel. A catastrophic failure by Israeli intelligence, the attack left hundreds dead, even more injured and an unknown number of hostages of all ages taken over the border into Gaza. One of the missing is a young Irish-Israeli woman, 22-year-old Kim Damti, who was at the festival in the desert on Saturday when it was attacked by Hamas insurgents. By the end of the day the bodies of 260 young festival-goers had been counted.Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is at war and that Hamas would pay a heavy price. On Monday, Israel began air strikes on the densely inhabited Gaza Strip. A ground invasion is set to follow. On today’s In the News podcast, Jerusalem-based journalist Mark Weiss talks to Bernice Harrison about how the attack on Israel unfolded, why the mood within the country means a fierce response is inevitable and how civilians will pay the highest price. And Irish Times Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary explains how the crisis has exposed divisions within the European Union - with Ireland relatively isolated for its traditional support of the Palestinian cause. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A threatened “strike” by rank and file gardaí next month has been lifted following a compromise between Garda staff associations and senior management in the dispute over rosters. Rank and file gardaí have dropped plans to refuse overtime over the next four Tuesdays and will not withdraw their service, a strike in all but name, on November 10th.What happened at that meeting on Friday between the Garda Representative Association (GRA), the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), the Association of Garda Superintendents and the Association of Chief Superintendents and senior Garda management at Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park, Dublin? Security and crime editor Conor Lally explains the background to this bitter dispute and explores how much of this is personal, an antipathy towards Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, an outsider in a force used to their own rising through the ranks to bag the top job.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, a prestigious Dublin school knowingly employed a former SS officer, Louis Feutren, as a French teacher. Now, former students of St Conleth's College allege that Feutren subjected them to physical and psychological abuse. The school has expressed 'regret' - but is that enough?Uki Goñi, who attended St Conleth's, and reporter Ronan McGreevy tell the story on today's In the News podcast.Support our journalism: subscribe to The Irish Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eamon Butterly, the former manager of the Stardust nightclub on Dublin’s northside, where 48 young people died in a fire in 1981, is one of the most important witnesses appearing before the inquests at the Dublin District Coroner’s Court.The 78-year-old, whose family owned the building and who was on-site the night of the fire has given evidence for more than a week and will resume his testimony this morning.Irish Times social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland explains what Butterly has said about how the tragedy occurred including the role of locked doors and flammable carpet tiles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Republic will run a huge budget surplus this year and next, thanks to bumper corporate tax receipts. So when Budget 2024 is announced next week, can some of that money be spent on easing the cost of living crisis and tackling issues like decarbonisation, housing and health? Some, yes - but the coalition will probably opt for a more conservative set of measures than they did last year, says Irish Times resident economic spoilsport Cliff Taylor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A network promoting disinformation to Irish TikTok users with the aim of “intensifying social conflict” has been discovered and removed by the social media giant. The information was disclosed in data reported by TikTok to the European Commission under a new code of conduct that requires major tech platforms to report disinformation on their networks and detail their efforts to combat it. The network originated in Ireland but little else has been revealed by the company. Irish Times Europe Correspondent Naomi O’Leary explains to In the News how disinformation is spreading on social media, how users are resistant to fact checking measures and what it means. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a dramatic week in which Gardaí and the Defence Forces thwarted an audacious attempt to import tonnes of cocaine into Europe, Irish Times Crime and Security Correspondent Conor Gallagher tells the whole story of Ireland's biggest ever drugs bust, including how incompetence played a sizeable role in the smugglers' undoing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The number of murders in the Republic has almost doubled in a 12-month period, according to new Central Statistic Office figures. The figures also show there were more reported assaults and more incidents of shoplifting. Reported sexual crimes are holding steady at a much higher level than they were five years ago. So is Ireland becoming more dangerous? It's not that simple, says Crime and Security Editor Conor Lally, who explains the factors behind some of the statistics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lough Neagh is dying in plain sight; the entire body of water has been contaminated by blooms of poisonous blue-green algae. How has it happened that the largest freshwater lake in Ireland and Britain has become toxic and, as Northern Ireland still does not have a working government in Stormont, what can be done to reverse this disaster?Northern editor Freya McClements visited Lough Neagh to talk to people whose lives have been impacted and to report on the deadly effects on wildlife and biodiversity and on the water supplies feeding into homes in Belfast and beyond. She explains both the cause and the effect of this toxic disaster.Eel fisherman Gerard McCourt tells In the News how his business has been drastically curtailed and Fiona Regan of DCU’s Water Institute points to policy decisions around farming as key culprits in this year’s Lough Neagh disaster. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sallins Train Robbery in 1976 was one of the most audacious criminal acts ever in the State. The Dublin to Cork mail train, carrying £200,000, was robbed with the IRA (much later) claiming responsibility, but only after three innocent men had been jailed. The men were tried, convicted and imprisoned as part of a convoluted saga involving the non-jury Special Criminal Court, claims of physical assault, forced confessions and a finding by the court that injuries sustained while in custody by some of the men were self-inflicted. In recent days, four human rights groups have petitioned Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to establish a statutory inquiry into what they say is one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in modern Irish history. Patsy McGarry, Irish Times contributor and author of While Justice Slept: Nicky Kelly and the True Story Behind the Sallins Train Robbery, tells the story of the crime and the convictions, and says this call for an inquiry is just another in nearly 50 years of such calls; none of which have resulted in action. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To understand the unfolding crisis on the Italian island of Lampedusa, where a state of emergency has been declared as 7,000 migrants arrived on boats within just 48 hours, it’s crucial to look across the short stretch of the Mediterranean to Tunisia. Sally Hayden, who has been reporting on the migrant crisis and the EU’s response to it, explains in this podcast why there has been a surge of people arriving on Lampedusa; why she believes Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s proposed “naval blockade” will not work; the controversial €105 million deal between the EU and Tunisian president Kaïs Saïed, who has encouraged violence against black people in the country; and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s visit last week to the Italian island. Hayden also tells In the News the story of Saad Eddin Ismail who she met in Tunisia and who left his home in Darfur, Sudan, six years ago, on a long quest to find safety.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Children suffering from spina bifida have been let down by an under-resourced healthcare system for years. This week’s news that there are now serious concerns over the safety of surgery performed on children with the condition at Temple Street children’s hospital will only deepen the anxiety and frustration of children and their families left waiting for vital corrective surgery. A UK expert is to review surgeries carried out by one consultant at the hospital after an internal review identified “serious spinal surgical incidents” in the service. The shocking allegation that unapproved, non-medical objects were implanted into children during surgery must also be investigated. On today’s In the News podcast, Irish Times Health Editor Paul Cullen tells Bernice Harrison about a major medical controversy that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has called ‘very alarming’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Expectations were high for the start of the 61st season of The Late Late Show, and new host Patrick Kielty delivered on some of them: the comedian delivered a funny monologue and generally seemed comfortable in his new role. But some of the programme’s old problems remained. On today’s In the News podcast, Irish Times writer, editor and podcaster Hugh Linehan reviews the first episode under new management of what is still RTE’s flagship offering and a TV institution, looking at what went right, what went wrong - and how Mr Kielty can make the show his own. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hiring of 'community safety wardens' to patrol Dublin’s north inner city was just one of the 50 actions contained in the Government’s latest plan for the area.But Irish Times Dublin editor Olivia Kelly explains why these wardens' ability to make the community safer will likely be limited.Meanwhile Peter Evans, a warden in Derry, explains how the system works there and just how effective it has been. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend, for the first time, the content of The Irish Times Magazine will be written entirely by teenagers. The six volunteers tackle subjects including the pitfalls of Tiktok, why many young women drop out of sport and what it is like to be a wheelchair user. One of their mentors for the project was Patrick Freyne, who recorded a conversation with them about the way their generation consumes news and the issues they really care about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardai have  confirmed that a poisonous substance sold by an online seller in Canada, was posted to a number of people in Ireland. The man accused of selling these so called ‘suicide kits’ is Kenneth Law, a 57 year old Canadian chef. Law is currently in police custody, charged with 14 counts of counselling and aiding suicide in the region of Ontario. However, he is thought to be linked to more than 100 deaths worldwide, including Ireland. Irish Times crime and security editor Conor Lally explains the current state of the investigation into Law’s activities in Ireland and, from Canada, CBC News reporter Thomas Daigle, who has been covering the story since Law was taken into custody in May, details the latest in what is set to be a long, involved investigation into a particularly tragic crime. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.The Samaritans can be contacted on freephone: 116 123 or email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1982, Emmett McConomy’s brother, 11-year-old Stephen, was playing in the street near their home in Derry. A shot fired by a British soldier from an armoured car hit him in the back of the head; he died from his injuries days later. Emmett tells In the News about his family’s decades-long fight for the truth about what happened to the child and how the UK government’s Northern Ireland legacy Bill is a betrayal of justice.The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is set to be passed into law this week and it will put an end to inquests and court cases – and includes a form of limited immunity for some perpetrators of crimes committed during the conflict. The Bill has been universally opposed by both sides of the political divide in the North and by the Irish Government and internationally in the United States, the UN and Europe. In the UK, the Labour Party opposes it. It is supported by the Conservative Party and the British military. Freya McClements, Northern Editor of The Irish Time, explains what it means – and what might happen next. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this Summer, a Netflix documentary, all about the hidden world of freediving, catapulted the sport in front of a global audience. The Deepest Breath, tells the story of Alessia Zecchini, a champion freediver from Italy and Stephen Keenan, an expert safety diver from Glasnevin in Dublin. It follows them as they rise separately through the ranks of the sport, before their lives eventually become intertwined. The film was directed by Irish filmmaker Laura McGann and gives an incredible insight into the world of freediving: which sees divers reach depths of more than 100 meters, without any equipment and with one single breath. In this episode, McGann explains how extraordinary archive footage and the generosity of Stephen’s father Peter helped shape the documentary. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co Laois man Brendon Deacy (58) arrived at the Burning Man festival in the northern Nevada desert prepared for heat and dust – not the heavy rain that fell on the last weekend of the nine-day counterculture jamboree. The artist and NCAD lecturer tells In the News about arriving in the camper van with his four grown-up children, how the festival lived up to his expectations, and more – and how the media made a drama out of a mini-crisis. Yes, it rained but the festival went on, with mud underfoot and a bit of unexpected discomfort. In the end, the man burned. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland has a poor history in Rugby World Cup competitions but this year just might be different.Entering the tournament in France as the number one team in the world is no guarantee of anything – and the big question is whether Andy Farrell’s team can do what previous Ireland teams have never managed; progress beyond the quarter final. That’s if they get there – the way the draw has worked out this year is that the pool is divided into an easy side and a hard one and Ireland is in the hard one alongside reigning world champions South Africa, and Scotland.As Irish Times sports reporter John O’Sullivan prepares to leave for the team’s first match of the two-month tournament, on Saturday against Romania at 2.30pm in Stade de Bordeaux, he explains all you need to know about the “pool of death” and beyond. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chinese economic growth is faltering. The biggest drag on the economy is the tanking property market, with prices falling and developers defaulting. Domestic demand is dropping as nervous consumers opt to save rather than spend. That’s bad news too for the vital manufacturing sector. Add double-digit youth unemployment and the problems are piling up for president Xi Jinping.Beijing correspondent Denis Staunton explains how, after decades of massive growth, China has slowed down and explores what it means for the rest of the world. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The net is closing in on members of the Kinahan Cartel. An investigation into the organised crime gang has been completed by An Garda Síochána and a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The focus of their investigation is the activities of cartel leaders Christy Kinahan and his two sons Daniel Kinahan and Christopher Kinahan Jnr. Now it is up to the DPP to decide if the men should be prosecuted and face trial here in Ireland. Crime and Security editor Conor Lally has the details and explains how the cartel’s operation here in Ireland has evolved in recent years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a week of tragedy on Irish roads. Nine people lost their lives in just six days prompting an outpouring of grief, not only in the communities of those who died but across the country.It’s been a week also when the Road Safety Authority released its figures for road deaths for the year so far and, as Irish Times reporter Mark Hilliard tells In the News, they make for stark and concerning reading.As of August 29th there have been 124 fatalities on Irish roads in 2023; or 26 more deaths (up 27 per cent) when compared to provisional Garda data for the same period in 2022. The data also shows an increasing number of fatalities among passengers and pedestrians. Almost half of fatalities occurred between 8pm-8am and road deaths are highest in Tipperary, Galway, Mayo and Cork. RIAC boss Conor Faughnan looks at the reasons for the rise in road deaths. Produced by John Casey. Presented by Bernice Harrison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales spoiled the afterparty for Spain's Women's World Cup-winning team, first by giving one of the players, Jenni Hermoso, an unwanted kiss, and then by refusing to accept the consequences. As Rubiales clings to his job, the controversy has embarrassed Spain's football establishment, incensed Spanish women and brought on a national reckoning with old-fashioned sexism, says Madrid-based reporter Guy Hedgecoe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to prices there’s no going back, Conor Pope, Irish Times consumer affairs expert and Pricewatch columnist tells In the News. Energy companies are promising some sort of reduction, not as yet revealed; supermarkets say they have dropped prices – but food inflation is still running well into double figures; and it’s a hard time to be both a borrower, with interest rates rising, and a saver with pitiful deposit interest rates. What can consumers do to help themselves – and will the Government use the budget, now only weeks away, to step in? Produced by John Casey and Suzanne Brennan. Presented by Bernice Harrison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In late July, four relatives attended a family lunch at the home of Erin Patterson, a 48 year-old mother of two from Leongatha in Australia. Within days of the lunch, three of the guests were dead, with a fourth fighting for his life in hospital, where he remains today. A beef wellington that was served for lunch on the day is suspected to have contained poisonous death cap mushrooms. But why were they in there? Australian police must now decipher whether it was simply a tragic accident or if there is something more sinister at play?In this episode, John Ferguson, a journalist with The Australian outlines the details of the case; while retired homicide investigator Charlie Bezzina, who has worked on some of Australia’s most high-profile cases goes through the unanswered questions in this shocking mass poisoning. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Presented by Bernice Harrison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the announcement of the deaths of two men – Meath native Brendan Wall (45) and Canadian Ivan Chittenden (64), during the swimming stage of the Youghal Ironman – there have been many reports from eyewitnesses and participants about the choppy conditions all 2,000-plus competitors faced.A key question is why the event was permitted to go ahead – or indeed if it went ahead with or without the approval of the governing body, Triathalon Ireland. As the week has gone on, no clear answers have emerged from that body or Ironman, the international group that organised the event. The answers have wide implications, not least the insurance status of all those who took part.On this episode of In the News we hear from Ironman participant Stephen Donnelly – who came sixth in the competition on Sunday – and who explains how the day unfolded and how he faced the wild sea conditions; reporter Hugh Dooley who has been in Youghal talking to locals and competitors, and from Irish Times current affairs editor Arthur Beesley who explains the blame game and how it might play out. Presented by Bernice Harrison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.