In The News

UK prime minister Boris Johnson has never been under more pressure after revelations emerged that he attended a party during Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. The news came a month after accusations about breaches of Covid rules at Downing Street first emerged, embarrassing the Conservatives. Johnson may hang on, but "the magic is gone" says London editor Denis Staunton - and it may not be long until Tory backbenchers decide it is in their best interests to find a new leader.If Johnson goes, who will replace him, what will it mean for Brexit, and how will his time as PM be remembered? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Novak Djokovic is on the cusp of becoming the best men’s tennis player in the history of the sport. In less than a week, he should be attempting to land a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam men's singles victory at the Australian Open. But the Australian immigration minister has the power to revoke the Serbian’s visa due to his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19.  Sorcha Pollak talks to Irish Times sports writer Johnny Watterson and Laura Slattery, Irish Times business journalist and tennis fan, about a very strange week in the world of tennis.Produced by Jennifer Ryan, Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan.www.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

English national John Shaw has been in custody in Ireland since September 1976 when both he and another English man, Geoffrey Evans, were arrested for the abduction, rape, torture and murder of Elizabeth Plunkett and Mary Duffy. After more than 45 years behind bars, Shaw is now looking to secure temporary release, but should he get the chance to step back into the outside world? Irish Times security and crime editor Conor Lally speaks to Sorcha Pollak. Warning: This episode includes references to sexual assault and violence. Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years into the pandemic, it’s still not clear how, when, or if it will end. With health systems across the world in a permanent state of crisis mode, other pressing health and societal problems that require urgent attention remain sidelined. Tim Colbourn, professor of global health systems, epidemiology and evaluation at University College London, says we must accept that eradicating Covid-19 is impossible and learn to live with the virus.He talks to producer Jennifer Ryan about how Covid-19 should be viewed long term and why vaccines and new drugs will lessen the burden of the virus year-on-year.Produced by: Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When rioters smashed their way into the US Capitol one year ago this week, it was seen as both a disaster for US democracy but also a potential turning point after the divisiveness of the Trump years. One year on, those hopes have faded and the polarisation of America is worse than ever, says our new Washington correspondent Martin Wall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you watched Squid Game yet? Since its release, the South Korean drama has become a global sensation, making it Netflix’s biggest series launch to date. Sorcha Pollak speaks to Irish Times Features writer Patrick Freyne about the phenomenal success of the series and what's behind its global appeal, while Dr Kevin Cawley, Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies at UCC gives an insight into the socio-economic inequality at the heart of the story, reflected in the lives of the 456 contestants.Just a warning before you listen: there are some tiny spoilers mentioned in this episode- we don't think it ruins the show but if you're very anti-spoiler you might not want to listen.Produced by: Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amazon, the company founded by Jeff Bezos in a Seattle garage more than a quarter of a century ago, is building one of its massive fulfilment centres in Ireland. While that will mean faster deliveries, easier returns and greater choice for Irish customers, the arrival of an amazon.ie is not without its dark sides. In this episode, Conor Pope talks to US journalist and author Alec MacGillis, who has been documenting the growth of Amazon, about what it takes – or what it costs – to work in one of the online retail giant’s warehouses.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.Presented by Conor Pope.Music by Hugh Rodgers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Ireland's most notorious murderer Graham Dwyer win a retrial, or even walk free? Dwyer, who was convicted of the murder of Elaine O'Hara in 2015, reportedly believes so. In the years since Dwyer was handed a life sentence, court rulings on the legality of key evidence used against him - mobile phone metadata - have given him hope. On today's podcast, crime correspondent Conor Gallagher talks to Sorcha Pollak about the Dwyer case and his appeal. First they look back on the case and the mountain of evidence, including the mobile phone metadata, that was used to convict Dwyer. Then they go through the legal arguments at the heart of Dwyer's appeal to understand whether he has a chance of winning. Warning: this podcast contains some graphic descriptions of abuse and violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly 100 years after his death, the truth about who assassinated Michael Collins remains one of the greatest unanswered questions in Irish history. Collins was murdered at Béal na mBláth in Cork on August 22nd, 1922. At the time he was chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State. Why then was his death never properly investigated? Over the last century there has been much speculation about who fired the single shot that killed him. Will we ever know who did it? Guests: Art historian and performer Paddy Cullivan and Irish Times reporter Ronan McGreevy. Host: Conor Pope Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a quintessentially American institution, where kids battle it out to correctly spell ten-dollar words like 'querimonious' and 'solidungulate'. This year, the long dominance of Indian-American competitors was broken by the first ever black American winner, 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde. Documentary filmmaker Sam Rega tells us the story of the National Spelling Bee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland is in the midst of a rent crisis. Prices are increasing nationally at a rate of around 8%, housing stock is low and the cost of buying a home is beyond many people who would like to get a foot on the property ladder. In this episode we hear from two people with first-hand experience of the rental market. Conor Pope talks to Irish Times feature writer Jennifer O’Connell about the reality of the rent crisis, including the rise in a new phenomenon of family homelessness. And Irish Times reporter Jack Power explores what’s out there for would-be renters. Produced by Suzanne Brennan, Jennifer Ryan and Declan Conlon.www.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Sinn Féin adapt, evolve and rise to become the most popular political party in the Republic of Ireland? And if it does win power in a future election, can it satisfy the many disparate groups of voters who now support it? We talk to Pat Leahy, political editor of The Irish Times, and Aidan Regan, at UCD's School of Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Omicron variant of Sars CoV 2 is the most transmissible variant yet and the percentage of cases here is growing dramatically. What is the Government going to do about it and what are the implications for the health service? Conor Popes talks to Irish Times health editor Paul Cullen and political correspondent Jennifer Bray.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.www.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this month, the government approved a landmark scheme to regularise thousands of undocumented migrants and their families who are living in Ireland. The scheme, which opens in January and runs for six months, will allow those living in the shadows of society to come forward and establish their status. Seen as a life changing development for the nearly 17,000 undocumented people living in the country, Sorcha Pollak speaks to those who will benefit from this new development.  Hosted by Conor Pope. Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Demand for cosmetic procedures is on the rise across Ireland, but what are the risks involved when the industry remains unregulated? Features writer Jennifer O’Connell speaks to Sorcha Pollak.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Denis Staunton on the latest scandal hitting UK prime minister Boris Johnson's government, after a week of denials that an illegal party took place in Downing Street last Christmas was brought to an embarrassing end by a leaked tape. Will the scandal weaken Johnson, or undermine the new Covid-19 restrictions he announced this week? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A group of MEPs, citing civil liberties, are refusing to present a Covid vaccination certificate when entering the European Parliament. Their ringleader is Romanian MEP Christian Tehres. Tehres is supported in his campaign by his Irish press officer Hermann Kelly, better known for his presidency of the far-right Irish Freedom Party, his advocacy for Irexit and his association with Nigel Farage. Naomi O'Leary speaks to Tehres and Kelly to find out what their campaign is really all about, and what brought Tehres and Kelly together. She also speaks to Bulgarian MEP Peter Vitanov who blames misinformation, in part, for his country's unfolding Covid catastrophe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 6th of December 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was agreed, paving the way for the creation of the Irish state. A century later, we explore how it was negotiated, the impact it had then and its legacy today. Conor Pope talks to playwright Colin Murphy, author Gretchen Friemann, historian Mícheál Ó Fathartaigh and Irish Times journalist Ronan McGreevy.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.www.irishtimes.com/podcasts Clips from ‘The Treaty’ with thanks to Colin Murphy and the Fishamble theatre company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The emergence of the Omicron variant has us asking questions about the virus and vaccines. What exactly does it look like when Sars-CoV-2 mutates? Could it really mutate to be a "nicer" virus? Can we ever create a vaccine that remains totally effective against Covid-19 in the long term? To find out the answer to these and other questions, we talk to Dr Gerald Barry, a virologist at University College Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Horgan-Jones on the new measures announced by the Government yesterday in light of the emergence of Omicron, a potentially more transmissible variant of Covid-19. Plus: If the worst comes to the worst, can our economy weather another Covid-19 wave? We ask economics columnist Cliff Taylor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Leaving Cert system is often accused of being one large memory test, placing high levels of stress on students and failing to prepare them for a life beyond education. Now, academics are calling for change, with plans to reform the system due to be published soon. Education editor Carl O’Brien and Professor Anne Looney of Dublin City University, speak to Sorcha Pollak about how the new system might work, learnings from the pandemic and why the exams have become such a cultural obsession. Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to Argentinian heritage, comedian and TV presenter Stephen Mullan knows how much Diego Maradona meant to the people of Argentina, and how much his death still hurts them one year on. Stephen tells Conor Pope about why the beloved and infamous footballer meant so much to him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last weekend, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of European cities to demonstrate against the introduction of new Covid restrictions. Europe correspondent Naomi O'Leary speaks to Conor Pope about the rising unrest and how the authorities are grappling with soaring infections. Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Times features writer Jennifer O’Connell recently spent the day in Dublin’s Mater hospital, speaking to frontline staff. With Covid cases continuing to rise and a surge in demand for critical care, many fear the worst is still to come. O’Connell spoke to Dr Sinead McArdle, Dr Colman O’Loughlin and Prof John McCaffrey. Here she tells Sorcha Pollak what medics are anticipating in the weeks and months ahead.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week Google, following "right to be forgotten" rules, granted a request from a member of a well-known Irish business family to hide unfavourable news stories about the family from search results. But how much is there to remember about self-made billionaire Sean Quinn and the Quinn family? Quite a lot, actually. Colm Keena, who travelled to Ukraine to investigate the affairs of the Quinns at the height of their legal troubles, reminisces with Conor Pope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of migrants, mainly from the Middle East, are stuck on the Belarus border with Poland, having arrived into the country with the promise of a safe route into the European Union. Instead, Polish authorities have guarded the border, leaving many stranded in makeshift camps and surviving freezing conditions. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been accused of engineering the crisis in retaliation to sanctions placed on Belarus earlier this year by the EU. How far are politicians willing to push the crisis and what will the human cost be? Reporting from Amanda Coakley and Tania Reut. Hosted by Sorcha PollakProduced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dennis Hutchings was buried on Thursday in Devon with full military honours and applause.The 80 year old died in Belfast after contracting Covid-19 while he was in the city to face trial for the shooting of John Pat Cunningham in 1974.Mr Cunningham, who was 27, was a vulnerable adult with learning difficulties who was afraid of soldiers.Mr Hutchings has become a figurehead for the campaign backing the UK government’s controversial proposals to introduce a statute of limitations for Troubles-era crimes.But in that debate John Pat Cunningham's name has largely been forgotten, according to his nephew Charlie Agnew.On today's podcast, Charlie tells Conor Pope that his uncle John Pat was the only real victim in this decades-old tragedy.And Freya McClements explains the story and how the issue of prosecuting veterans has become a toxic issue in Northern Ireland and in British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, former All Black Carl Hayman revealed a diagnosis of early onset dementia at just 41 years of age. Hayman has also joined a long list of former players taking legal action against rugby’s governing bodies, claiming they failed to protect players from the risks caused by concussions and sub-concussions. In today’s episode, former Welsh back-rower Alix Popham speaks to host Sorcha Pollak about his recent dementia diagnosis and the Head for Change initiative which was set up to help other ex players navigating a brain injury. Irish Times sports writer Johnny Watterson speaks about the impending legal action and whether the changes made to this high impact sport, go far enough.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.Opening music by Hugh Rodgers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The finishing line of this pandemic has been cruelly pushed back again and again. Vaccines have diminished the threat posed by Covid-19 but we're still a long way from normal. Now, with cases as high as ever, there are still a few levers left to pull to get the virus under control. Simon Carswell asked immunologists Professor Kingston Mills and Professor Christine Loscher about booster doses, updated vaccines and anti-viral drugs - and about how they see the pandemic ending. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last Friday in Sierra Leone's capital Freetown, a fire in the busy neighbourhood of Wellington killed scores and injured many more. The fire was caused by a leak from a fuel tanker and many people had been drawn to danger to collect the precious fuel to resell or power their vehicles.From Freetown, Sally Hayden reports on what happened on Friday and since, the obvious link between poverty and the unnecessary deaths, and how Sierra Leoneans are weary of always being a bad news story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Ireland's most notorious murderer Graham Dwyer win a retrial, or even walk free? Dwyer, who was convicted of the murder of Elaine O'Hara in 2015, reportedly believes so. In the years since Dwyer was handed a life sentence, court rulings on the legality of key evidence used against him - mobile phone metadata - have given him hope. On today's podcast, crime correspondent Conor Gallagher talks to Sorcha Pollak about the Dwyer case and his appeal. First they look back on the case and the mountain of evidence, including the mobile phone metadata, that was used to convict Dwyer. Then they go through the legal arguments at the heart of Dwyer's appeal to understand whether he has a chance of winning. Warning: this podcast contains some graphic descriptions of abuse and violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does a country halve its greenhouse gas emissions in just nine years? The new Climate Action Plan is the Irish government's answer to that question. The proposals within it, if implemented, will radically change life in the country. So what's in it, who will it affect the most and does it go far enough? Jennifer Ryan talks to Jennifer Bray, political correspondent with The Irish Times and Dr Hannah Daly, lecturer in sustainable energy at University College Cork. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A squat eviction, protests over plans to redevelop the site at the Cobblestone pub and the announcements of closures of the Science Gallery and a much-loved independent bookshop. These individual events, which took place in Dublin last week, may not seem related. But for many people, they symbolise what is seen as the degradation of culture and the character of the capital city. Sorcha Pollak talks to Irish Times columnist Una Mullally and Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly about the changing face of Dublin.Produced by: Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just over 25 years ago, the Criminal Assets Bureau was established in the wake of the killings of Detective Jerry McCabe and journalist Veronica Guerin. The murders shocked the nation and served as a wakeup call to the authorities that they were losing the fight against gangland figures and paramilitary groups. Over the years, the Criminal Assets Bureau has seized almost €200million in the proceeds of crime, forcing many to move abroad to keep hold of their cash. Today, Conor Pope speaks to Crime editor Conor Lally about the impact of Cab on the Irish criminal landscape.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.Opening music by Hugh Rodgers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the European Union’s Court of Justice ordered Poland to pay a one million euro daily fine, believed to be the biggest penalty imposed by the EU, on one of it's own member states. Sorcha Pollak speaks to Berlin correspondent Derek Scally about the controversial judicial reforms which have led to this latest sanction .Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan. Opening music by Hugh Rodgers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, just days before world leaders and policy makers descended upon Glasgow for the crucial Cop26 climate talks, UN secretary-general Antonia Guterres stated clearly that the climate crisis has reached “code red for humanity”“There is only one path forward,” he said. “A 1.5 degree future is the only liveable future for humanity. I urge leaders to get on with the job, before it’s too late.”On Sunday October 31st, representatives from almost every country in the world will gather in Scotland for the United Nations Climate Change conference. But after so many climate conferences have failed, why should we believe this time will be different?And here in Ireland, how committed is our Government when it comes to playing its part in avoiding global climate catastrophe?In the final episode of In The News' four-part climate change series, presenter Sorcha Pollak speaks to Sadhbh O'Neill, one of Ireland's leading experts on climate action, and Irish Times environment and science editor Kevin O'Sullivan about what will happen in Glasgow, how seriously world leaders are treating this problem and what steps are needed straight away to save our planet from total climate disaster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facebook’s brand is in crisis. The social media giant is rarely out of the headlines, most recently after whistleblowers and leaked documents shed light on its failures, including the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories.Facebook is also facing pressure from lawmakers on various fronts, including pending legislation from Congress and a number of high profile lawsuits. This week cheif executive Mark Zuckerberg is expected to announce a rebrand, as the company seeks to distance itself from these scandals and push ahead with plans to build the metaverse - the next evolution of the internet.Conor Pope talks to Irish Times technology writer Ciara O’Brien about the scandals that have plagued the company and whether a rebrand could save its reputation.Produced by: Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you watched Squid Game yet? Since its release, the South Korean drama has become a global sensation, making it Netflix’s biggest series launch to date. Sorcha Pollak speaks to Irish Times Features writer Patrick Freyne about the phenomenal success of the series and what's behind its global appeal, while Dr Kevin Cawley, Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies at UCC gives an insight into the socio-economic inequality at the heart of the story, reflected in the lives of the 456 contestants.Just a warning before you listen: there are some tiny spoilers mentioned in this episode- we don't think it ruins the show but if you're very anti-spoiler you might not want to listen.Produced by: Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re told that eating less meat or giving up flying are things that we can do to help fight climate change. But given that a relatively small number of fossil fuel producers are responsible for the vast majority of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, just how much does individual action really matter?Guests: Dr Tara Shine Change By Degrees, Kate Devitt Fridays for Future Dublin, and Catherine Cleary Pocket Forests.Presenter: Conor PopeProduced by Jennifer Ryan Opening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health editor Paul Cullen on what we know about the reasons for Ireland's high level of Covid-19 right now, despite our high vaccination rates.Plus: political correspondent Jennifer Bray on how the Government is thinking about the uptick in cases. Is the planned removal of further restrictions in doubt? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this week, Britain's Brexit minister David Frost called for a new "Northern Ireland protocol" to completely replace the agreement he negotiated two years outlining how trade in Northern Ireland works post-Brexit. The EU wants to make changes to the protocol instead. Can the two sides find a compromise, despite the deep mistrust that has developed after years of difficult negotiations? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More flooding, longer spells of hotter weather, heavier rain events and the disappearance of frost: The changes to Ireland's weather if we fail to tackle the climate crisis may not seem too dramatic, but if other parts of the world suffer more, then the impacts of that will be felt here too. As part of our coverage of the climate crisis in the lead up to COP26, we talk to climate scientists, Dr Alastair McKinstry and Dr Enda O'Brien, about the likely consequences of climate disruption on Ireland in the coming decades.Guests: Dr Alastair McKinstry and Dr Enda O'Brien from the Irish Centre for High End Computing at NUI Galway.Presenter: Sorcha PollakProduced by Jennifer Ryan Opening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A large search operation has begun in Co Kildare in relation to the disappearance of 18-year-old Deirdre Jacob, who went missing as she walked home in Newbridge.She was last seen alive at about 3pm on the evening of July 28th, 1998.She was one of several women who went missing in the same region over a five year period.Conor Lally tells Conor Pope about the background to the case, the new evidence that has led to the search, the and the prime suspect in the case, convicted rapist Larry Murphy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A global deal means our 12.5% corporate tax rate will be going up for the first time in decades. Cliff Taylor tells Conor the story of the rate: where it came from, why it lasted and what an increase will mean.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On September 26th a referendum was held in Berlin. The question? Should landlords be forced to sell nearly a quarter of a million apartments to the city. The goal of the campaign to expropriate the apartments, is to reverse the massive rent increases that campaigners say threaten normal life in the German capital. Many obstacles remain, but the move to take control of Berlin's housing could redefine the relationship between landlords and tenants in the city. The referendum has caught the attention of housing activists in Ireland. But, could it ever happen here?Guests: Derek Scally, Jenny Stupka, Hilary Hogan and Eoin Burke-KennedyPresenter: Jennifer RyanIn the News is presented by journalists Conor Pope and Sorcha PollakProduced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a few weeks' time, world leaders meet for the COP26 UN Climate Conference in Scotland, where they will try to agree on a plan to reduce emissions and prevent catastrophic temperature rises. Between now and then, we'll be covering the climate crisis on this podcast every week. Today, we're tracing the origins of the climate crisis: where it went wrong and what can be learned from the failure to do anything until now, when it's almost too late. Guest: Alice Bell, co-director at the climate change charity Possible and author of Our Biggest Experiment: A History of the Climate Crisis.Presenter: Conor PopeProduced by Jennifer Ryan and Declan ConlonOpening music by Hugh Rodgerswww.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland is being used as a de facto offshore location by people and businesses in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and other countries in eastern Europe and central Asia, leaked documents show. Colm Keena explains how a legal entity permitted under Irish law makes this possible, and how and why these entities are used to shield money and power from view. Plus: around the world, powerful individuals with hidden wealth are revealed in The Pandora Papers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month the first Irish person was hospitalised after using the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin to treat the symptoms of Covid-19. In the US, demand for the drug is soaring as more people turn their backs on the vaccine and look to alternative treatments. So what exactly is the drug, why has it become associated with the treatment of Covid-19 and what are the risks involved in taking it? Conor Pope speaks to virologist Dr Gerard Barry and to New York-based  journalist Nick Robins-Early. Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne BrennanOpening music by Hugh Rodgers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before his sudden death Anthony Flynn was accused of sexually assaulting several men in the care of the charity he founded. He leaves behind alleged abuse victims, betrayed comrades in the homelessness charity community, and an organisation that may never recover. Jack Power reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much do you think about where your food comes from, how the animals used to produce it live and die, or its impact on the environment? Journalist and author Henry Mance investigates our relationship with animals in his book How To Love Animals: In a Human-Shaped World. He talked to Conor Pope about what he discovered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.