The Hard Shoulder

Unlocked: An Irish Prison Officer’s Story’ is a newly co-written book which takes a look at the history of the Irish Prison Service. The book gives an authentic account of life in one of the most dangerous and toughest workplaces dealing with some of the most notorious criminals on this island. Kieran was joined by co-authors David McDonald who is also a former prison officer and Mick Clifford special correspondent with the Irish Examiner, to discuss the process of writing the book.

AIB is to turn 70 of its 170 branches into cashless outlets as a result of what it has claimed is declining demand for these services. Timmy Dooley Fianna Fail senator, David Hall CEO of the Irish Mortgage Holders Association and Anne Marie Cronin Photographer and owner of the Photography Gallery at West End in Castletownbere, Co. Cork, joined Kieran to discuss their reaction to the news.

The European Union has proposed a 15% in natural gas consumption over the course of the next eight months. The cut will affect households as well as power producers and could be made legally binding if Russia cuts its gas supply to Europe. Conor Minogue, IBEC's Senior executive with responsibility for infrastructure, energy and environmental policy, Paul Deane, Research professor at University College Cork and Ciaran Cuffe Green Party MEP for Dublin, do discuss what this winter could look like.

Dublin City Councilors have agreed to move forward with the full pedestrianisation of South William Street, however, the decision to make the street traffic free has been met by some opposition from businesses in the area, particularly car park owners. Andrea Horan, Owner of Tropical Popical, which has been on South William Street for 10 years, joined Kieran and John Mitchell, owner of Mitchell Car Accessories on Capel Street, to discuss what pedestrianization can mean for businesses.

150 refugees will be accommodated at the Army camp in Gormanston from today. Since February over 40,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived into the country, with difficulties now been seen in sourcing accommodation for those arriving. Liam O’Dwyer, Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross joined Kieran to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding accommodation.

Families could be forced to abandon their second car if farmers can’t agree to higher level carbon emission targets. Michael Healy Rae is the Independent TD for Kerry and Steven Matthews, Green Party TD for Wicklow, joined Kieran to discuss if this is the right move.

Children in Ireland are waiting as much as four years for autism assessments. Families are always told early intervention is key but the resources don’t seem to be there to help. Kieran was joined by Miriam Kenny, Chairperson of Involve Autism and Rebecca McDermott who has spent €16,500 for private autism assessments, to discuss the toll this is taking on families.

Research also shows nearly one-fifth of over 50’s have developed shingles, and over half know someone who was affected by condition. Senior Journalist with RTÉ, Teresa Mannion joined Kieran to discuss her own experience of experiencing the condition.

On the hottest day of the year, Kieran was joined by Newstalks Simon Tierney to take a look back at the history of the BBQ.

A draft new curriculum for SPHE and RSE in schools has been being published today. The new Junior Cert curriculum will look at issues including the influence of pornography, sharing sexual images online, consent and gender identity. Anjelica Foley, Welfare Officer with the Irish Second Level joined Kieran and Rebekah Connolly, Gender, Sexuality and Relationships Editor for SpunOut.ie, to discuss the proposed changes.

On the hottest day of the year so far, Evelyn Cusack Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann, joined Kieran as part of the Hard Shoulders summer special.

With many people on holidays and going abroad to soak up the sunshine, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran take a look at some of the must have technology for your summer.

To celebrate the good weather, Kieran was joined by Oisin Davis, From Great Irish Beverages, Holly Dalton, Chef and Director at Conbini Condiments and Andrea Gilligan, Host of Lunchtime Live, to discuss the best ways to spend a summers day.

Now many of you will be jetting off on your holidays soon and with hot weather forecast for the coming week – how will your houseplants survive the heat? Erin Thomas from Hopeless Botanics joined Kieran Cuddihy in studio.

All eyes are on Croke Park this weekend as Kilkenny face Limerick in the All-Ireland Hurling Final. We have been hearing from locals on the show today ahead of the big game but now it is time to hear from two men who were playing the last time these two sides faced off in an All-Ireland. Former Kilkenny hurler, Eoin Larkin and former Limerick hurler Ollie Moran both joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show ahead of the game.

Apparently, a lot of Irish people are worried about the number of refugees coming to Ireland and think there should be some sort of limit put on the number of Ukrainians coming here. Is this really reflective of how we feel? Margarita Kalinichenko of Ukrainians in Action, Ireland, and Enda O’Neill, Head of office at the UNHCR Ireland both joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Sam McAlister, Producer of the Prince Andrew interview of which the film will be based off, joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss the famous interview being turned into a film.

Michael Guerin, Senior Addiction Therapist at charity organization Cuan Mhuire joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss the 1,000 children hospitalised with drug and alcohol-related issues.

Diageo, the maker of Guinness has announced it’s moving most of its beer and ale production out of St James’ Gate in Dublin – but..the site will still be making Guinness. It comes as the housing crisis continues in the city, so should the site be fully. Cieran Perry, Independent councillor on Dublin City Council and Michael Pidgeon, Green Party councillor for Dublin South West Inner City joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

In this week's Thursday interview Kieran was joined by crime journalist Nicola Tallant, to discuss her career and Dublin's current gangland crisis.

The streaming giant Netflix is set to team up with Microsoft to offer a cheaper streaming service with adverts for cash-strapped consumers. Andy O’Donoghue technology writer and tech expert joined Kieran to discuss if this would be a way of clawing back subscribers.

Concerns have been raised over safety on public transport, it comes as a number of Fianna Fail members have asked the public for their view on the issue. Jim O’Callaghan, Fianna Fail’s Justice spokesman and TD for Dublin Bay South, joined Kieran to discuss what can be done to make public transport safer for users.

The annual rate of inflation rose to 9.1% in June, its fastest rate in 38 years. Over two thirds of that increase is made up of higher transport and housing costs, which include gas and electricity. Economist Jim Power joined Kieran to discuss what this means for us and what lessons have we learnt from when this happened in the 80s.

Love Island is the reality TV show that sweeps the nation every summer. Cathy Press, psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, specialising in domestic and sexual violence and abuse related issues with children and young people, joined Kieran to discuss if the show is suitable for teenager's.

A new public lido could replace the plans for Dublin’s white-water rafting project. It would include a 50-metre, a sauna and changing areas. Mark Dempsey, Ice Sea Swimmer and Campaigner for Corbally Baths, joined Kieran to discuss if there should be more public pool's around Ireland.

Barbara Iweins, decided while she was in the process of moving house, that it might be a good opportunity to catalogue her possessions. This thought eventually became a massive 5 year project to photograph every single thing she owns,all 12,795 individual objects, from a comb to a Lego brick. She joined Sean to discuss how this project is now the subject of her new book, entitled Katalog.

The one and only Harrison Ford turns 80 today. Best known for his roles as the smuggler Han Solo in the Star Wars movies and archaeologist extraordinaire Indiana Jones, Rory Cashin Entertainment Editor at Joe.ie, joined Kieran to look back at his iconic career.

The Government has won a motion of confidence in a Dáil vote. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar joined Kieran with his reaction to the vote and to look forward at what the priorities will be for the government when they return from summer recess.

Geoffrey Roberts, Emeritus professor of history at UCC, a member of the Royal Irish Academy and a specialist on Russian and Soviet foreign and military policy, joined Kieran to discuss his thoughts on the war in Ukraine. He told Kieran it could be time for western nations to use their morals and secure the best possible deal for Ukraine as the war is unwinnable.

A new public lido could replace the plans for Dublin’s white-water rafting project.It would include a 50-metre, a sauna and changing areas.Derek Kelly, Manager of the Council’s Dockland’s Office joined Kieran and Kieran O’Donnell, Limerick Fine Gael TD who has been involved in the campaign to reopen the Corbally Baths, to discuss the project.

This interview contains language and descriptions some listeners may find disturbing. The scenes in parts of Northern Ireland during so-called celebrations for July 12th are akin to the Ku Klux Klan. That's according to commentator Joe Brolly, who was speaking on The Hard Shoulder after an effigy of the region's First Minister-designate Michelle O'Neill was placed on a bonfire. The PSNI say they are aware of the incident and are investigating. There has also been condemnation of the appearance of election posters and Irish Tricolour flags on fires. Joe Brolly described some of the scenes Kieran on the show. "For too long all of this has been tolerated, and it's very important to call it out. "We've lodge members singing about a murdered Catholic girl, and feeling confident enough to put that video out there. "Bandsmen yesterday smashing up a house in the university area, in front of the police, throwing a wheelie bin through the window. "Signs on all of the mega bonfires saying 'Kill all Catholics, kill all Taigs.

Today and tomorrow is Amazon Prime Day where customers are able to benefit from a wide range of discounts. With Amazon's presence growing in Ireland, Kieran was joined by Ruth Roberts Co-owner of Cogs the Brain shop, Niall Bodkin Founder of the E-Commerce Association of Ireland and Jenny Darmody, Deputy Editor of Silicon Republic, to discuss what it means for the smaller independent retailers and how to do they plan on competing with the big giant.

From Billy Ray to Bowie there have been plenty of iconic mullets down through the years, and now it seems the mullet is back in fashion. Irish rugby international Shane Byrne joined Kieran and barber Aidan Coogan, owner of Neighbour Threat, on Fade Street, to discuss what is so magical about the mullet.

The Government is to maintain the current TV licence but has says it will overhaul the system to ensure it is more equitable, relevant and sustainable. Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, joined Kieran to discuss the publication of the report of the Future of Media Commission, which was tasked with examining funding models and challenges for the media sector.

Defence Minister Simon Coveney has got cabinet’s approva that will see military spending in Ireland increase to €1.5 billion a year by 2028.This is the biggest military investment in the history of the state, and Kirean was joined by Independent Senator, Gerard Craughwell and Joe Murray, Co-Ordinator at Afri, Action for Ireland, to discuss if it is necessary.

The new Love Island season is on and with so many of us tuning into the new season, Kieran was joined by Hughie Maughan former contestant at Big Brother UK and Dancing with the Stars at RTE, Ray Shah former The Big Brother contestant and Shannen Reily McGrath former Love Island Season 3 contestant, to discuss what life is life for those who take part in reality TV shows.

The issues at airports here at home and lost baggage continues, musician Andy Irvine and Peter Le Bas, CEO of Le Bas International, joined Kieran to discuss their experiences of using the airport.

Conspiracy, is a new book written by Tom Phillips and John Elledge which explores the greatest conspiracy theories ever, new and old. Kieran was joined by Tom to discuss how the book also teaches us how not to fall for conspiracy theories and how we can start trusting the hard evidence.

Irish products like Clonakilty sausages and Sudocrem are cheaper in British supermarkets than in Irish ones, despite being made here. Damian O’Reilly, Lecturer in Retail Management at Technological University Dublin, joined Kieran and Cormac Lucey, Economics Commentator with the Sunday Times Ireland, to discuss why Irish consumers are paying more.

The Dail is heading for recess this week, TD’s wont be back sitting in the chamber until the 14th of September. Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD, joined Kieran and Regina Doherty, Fine Gael Senator, to discuss if the break is to long.

Turfcutting has long been a part of rural Ireland and people have used it to heat their homes for centuries. However, next week Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan will publish draft proposals banning the commercial sale of turf, meaning you won’t be able to buy it online or in a retail setting. Jackie Flannery, from the Irish Rural Association joined us on The Hard Shoulder.

If the weather forecast is anything to go by, the sun will be shining down on us this weekend and no sunny outdoor excursion is complete without an ice cream cone to cool us down while also satisfying our sweet tooth. TV Chef and Mindful eating coach Aisling Larkin is back and this week we’re looking at what makes the 99 so irresistible to us here in Ireland.

Gardai in County Wexford are investigating a possible sex-tortion case involving approximately 200 women. They've found themselves on a 'list' by a faceless Snapchat account, which claims to hold their explicit or personal images. Sinn Fein Councillor for Wexford, Tom Forde was contacted about these images a number weeks ago by some of the women involved and joined us on the show.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris – who is today announcing the roll-out of €17.2 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships joined Emmet Oliver on the show.

What a weekend of sport we have in store. Wimbledon is set to come to a close over the weekend, Dublin versus Kerry is part of the All Ireland semi-final weekend and in rugby, Ireland takes on New Zealand in Dunedin in the much anticipated Second Test. Nathan Murphy from Off The Ball previewed the weekend in sporting action.

Deputy cabinet secretary in the PM's office, Koichiro Matsumoto spoke of the anguish felt by the Prime Minister in the aftermath of Shinzo Abe's Death. Brian Gaynor, Irish journalist based in Japan joined Emmet Oliver on the show.

Sinn Fein have confirmed they’re going to lodge a motion of no confidence in the government this week. Mary Lou McDonald is the party leader and she joined Emmet Oliver on the show.

George Monbiot environmental campaigner and Guardian columnist, joined Emmet to discuss his new book ‘Regenesis -Feeding the World Without Devouring The Planet’.

Boris Johnson has resigned as Conservative leader, after a series of cabinet ministers told him he had lost the support of the party. Emmet was joined by Bobby McDonagh Was Irish ambassador to the UK when Boris was London Mayor, Tim Walker Former colleagues at the telegraph & Author of Bloody Difficult Women and Cindy Yu Broadcast editor of The Spectator, to discuss how a change of PM could affect Ireland.

After Donegal TD Joe McHugh’s resignation of the Fine Gael Party Whip last night, the government officially has 79 votes, with the opposition on 80.This has resulted in motions of no confidence being mooted for next week from Sections of the Opposition. Neale Richmond, who is Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, and Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West, joined Emmet to discuss if its time for this government to come to an end.