The Hard Shoulder

Groups set up on social media to swap supermarket’s money-off vouchers, such as Dunnes 10 off 50 are gaining popularity, but what is it about a good discount voucher that makes us love them so much?Joining Ciara to discuss the reason why is Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.

A protest is being held on Wednesday March 18th outside the Dáil to protest the approval of plans for 140 apartments on the site of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in Cork.This comes after a vigil was held last Sunday at the gates of the former Mother and Baby Home in Cork.In 2021, the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes found that 923 babies associated with Bessborough died between 1922 and 1998, and burial records for only 64 of them were found…Noelle Brown is a campaigner, Bessborough survivor and Social Democrat Councilor for Kimmage-Rathmines, and she joins Shane to discuss.

On the station today, we’ve been hearing that drivers have left behind more than €300,000 at toll booths last year by driving away without their change when passing through a motorway plaza.With record numbers passing through our tolls, and with frustrations building at the levels of congestion, is the solution to build more roads?Joining Ciara to discuss is Brian Caufield, Professor in Transportation in the Dept of Civil Engineering at Trinity College Dublin.

Ireland is nowhere near meeting its retrofit targets, that's according to a new ESRI report out today.So why are people not retrofitting?For more on this, Shane is joined by Claire McManus, Director of JFOC Architects and Housing Spokesperson for the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland.

There are at least 30 people diagnosed with dementia every day in Ireland, with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland saying that there are 64,000 people living with dementia…Today at Croke Park, a new service was launched that focuses on reminiscence therapy.The Replay is a collection of commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s iconic broadcasts.Josh Crosbie went along to the launch, and he sent in this report.

Iran's Foreign Ministry has said at a news conference that there's currently no room for ceasefire talks; stating that as long as attacks continue, there is "no point to talk about anything but defence and retaliation against enemies".Tara Kangarlou, Global Affairs Journalist and author of ‘The Heartbeat of Iran’ joins Shane to discuss…

On Friday we heard from Helen Joyce, Author of Trans; gender identity & the new battle for women’s rights & Director of Advocacy at Sex Matters to discuss the Gender Recognition Act, among other issues.Joining Ciara to return to the discussion is Karen Sugrue, Sociology Lecturer, Psychotherapist and member of Mammies for Trans Rights.

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara and Shane are joined by TJ Hegarty, Founder of Breakthrough Maths and TikTok star to discuss the importance of times tables and spelling are for when your kids are young, and how they are vital for later in life.

Gerry Adams was “directly responsible for and complicit” in the decisions made by the IRA to detonate bombs in England, the High Court in London has heard. Adams denies that he had any role in the Provisional IRA, and is opposing the claim.Joining Shane with the latest updates on the civil trial is Enda Brady, London-based Journalist.

You will have heard throughout the day and over the weekend about fuel prices continuing to rise at forecourts across the country. Oil surged to prices not seen since 2022 this morning, hitting just under $120 a barrel. The Irish Road Hauliers Association has said that these rising prices could force them to take protest action,  which would result in supply chain disruption and rising prices in shops. So, is it time for some form of government intervention on the price of fuel?Joining Ciara to debate is Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fáil TD and Spokesperson on Climate, Environment and Energy and Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

At our beaches and along our waterways you may be well familiar with the yellow boxes holding lifebuoys. What you may not be familiar with is the people across the country who ensure that each and every lifebuoy remains up to standard, and is replaced after any vandalism, which can unfortunately be a regular occurrence…Fergal Wyckham is a ring buoy inspector with Water Safety Ireland, and joins Shane to explain the work and what they encounter as part of it.

President Catherine Connolly has said recent attacks in the Middle East are “deliberate assaults on international law”.President Connolly made these remarks in a statement which marked International Women’s Day. Her comments have concerned some in Government that it might affect the Taoiseach visit to the White House for St Patrick's Day…Joining Ciara for more on this is John Lee, Group Political Editor with the Irish Daily Mail.

Housing Minister James Browne has confirmed that the Government will soon relax planning regulations to allow more people to build one-off homes in rural areas.For more on this, Shane is joined by Carol Tallon of the Property District…

“There seem to be potholes on every road and ones that were there before have grown – it’s a bit of a disaster.”Those are the words of Daniel Pender, Fianna Fáíl County Councillor & Cathaoirleach of Muinebheag, Carlow on the state of the roads following Storm Chandra.He joins Ciara to discuss, as well as Conor Faughnan, Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.

This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

“This International Women’s Day, I want to propose that we stop telling women they don’t look their age. We hand out this observation like it’s a medal, when it’s actually toxic.”So says Irish Independent Columnist, Mary McCarthy, who joins Ciara and Shane to discuss.

How can you tell if you have gum disease? And if you do, how can it be treated?Dentist Dr Bronagh Keane joins Shane to discuss.

Minister Peter Burke today issued a statement regarding the increased abuse retail workers have been experiencing in recent days following the increase in fuel prices. In his statement he said, “I want to make it clear that this behaviour is unacceptable, and no one should take their frustration out on any retail worker.”Have you noticed an increase in abuse?Joining Ciara to discuss this is Jim Fuery, Assistant General Secretary of Mandate.

Off The Ball Senior Producer Mick McCarthy joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Last night was reported to be the heaviest night of bombardments in the capital Tehran, with the Israeli Defence Forces also carrying out a wave of strikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut.Joining Shane with the latest updates is William Christou, Journalist in Beirut writing for The Guardian.

Rúaidhrí O’Connor is an Irish rugby fan who struck up a conversation with Welsh fans 50 years ago, which led to 50 years of friendship…They’re celebrating it tomorrow, and Rúaidhrí joins Shane to share his story.

A conference will take place on Saturday to discuss the Gender Recognition Act 2015 & its potential impact on Irish society.Ciara is joined by one of the speakers at the event, Helen Joyce, Author of ‘Trans: Gender Identity & The New Battle for Women’s Rights & Director of Advocacy at Sex Matters’.

Shane Lowry has been speaking about the perspective he gained from his daughter after placing second at the Cognizant Classic last week.His daughter asked "Why is everyone acting so sad that you finished second? Second is good.”So, how do you deal with coming second?Joining Shane to discuss is Enda McNulty, CEO of McNulty Performance.

Yesterday we heard from Labour TD George Lawlor and Ann Marie Lamb, a tenant in one of the thirty six homes in Bridgetown County Wexford issued with eviction notices. Those tenants have now been told that those eviction notices have been withdrawn.Anna, Tenant at Hazelwood in Bridgetown, joins Ciara to discuss.

A recent survey by ComReg of 3,000 Irish adults found that 57% are paying for traditional TV services, such as Sky or Virgin.The number represents a sharp decrease since 2023, when 70% were subscribing.It’s estimated that around 400,000 people have dodgy boxes across the country...is there where those subscribers are going?Larry Bass is CEO of ShinAwil, and joins Shane to discuss.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk joined Ciara and Shane to review the latest TV and movie releases…

The Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, Ireland’s largest inclusive sporting event, will take place from the 18th to the 21st of June. Over 1,200 athletes will compete across 12 sports over four days in 10 venues in Dublin.Henry McKean went to the launch at the National Indoor Arena, and sent this report.

The Government are “taking public for fools’, so says Sinn Fein’s Energy Spokesperson and TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, as a ‘targeted’ energy credit was put off the table by Government.The TD is critical of Government and the energy regulator for allowing the level of household energy debt to reach new record highs…Today Pa Daly introduced two bills that he says will tackle Ireland’s energy crisis, end price gouging, and bring down the price of energy for good.He joins Ciara to discuss.

Actor and Comedian Mike Wozniak joins Ciara and Shane for this week’s Thursday Interview!

The United States and Israel’s war with Iran is in its sixth day today. The Defence Ministry of the UAE has said it has intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles and over one hundred drones with some debris falling inside the country. In Lebanon, the Israeli Defence Forces has urged residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut to evacuate their homes immediately.For the latest analysis, Ciara is joined by Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.Image: Reuters

Labour TD for Wexford George Lawlor has said that the audio of a landlord telling a tenant they are selling the property because of the Government’s new rent rules exposes the truth behind a wave of eviction notices in Wexford…George joins Shane, as well as tenant Ann Marie Lambe, who has received an eviction notice, to discuss.

Today the world was shocked to hear where Jessie Buckley stood on the dog versus cat debate, admitting that she hates cats… Is she finally speaking the truth that many are afraid to admit?Joining Shane and Ciara to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Times (and cat hater).

A primary school in Celbridge has closed from today after a “number of fire safety and building compliance matters” were identified that require “urgent attention”.Parents of the students are due to meet with the Board of Management later this evening.One of those parents is Louise McNerney, who joins to discuss.

Many people across the country will be familiar with mould in their homes, but what are the dangers of mould to our health, and how can we safely remove it?Joining Shane to discuss is Martin Glynn, Founder of the DIY Academy and Dr Maire Finn, of Ennis Centric Health.

The Government’s charter flight to get stranded citizens home from the Middle East is expected to depart in the coming days. The flight is planned to depart from Oman, with passengers being transferred by bus from places like Dubai to take the flight. However, those taking the flight will have to pay eight hundred euro per adult, with the Government contributing the rest.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Senator Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who is criticising the cost of the flights.Also joining from Dubai is Mark Mullally, who has been on a family holiday in Dubai since last Tuesday week, and will be getting one of these flights home.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Ciara and Shane to discuss how to fly on a private jet!

For many adults, the news cycle at the minute is heavy and difficult to deal with, but children cannot be completely shielded from the news. Whether it’s overhearing the radio or TV that their parents may be watching, or being fed content on the social media feeds, how can we help children deal with the heavy news content they are seeing?Psychotherapist Iseult White joins Ciara and Shane to discuss.

French President Emmanuel Macron has joined Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in calling the legality of strikes on Iran into question, Macron said the strikes on Iran that began Saturday were conducted "outside of international law" and that Paris "cannot approve of them."Joining Shane to discuss this is Sean Bell, former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast & Dan Mulhall, former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States.Image: Reuters

A primary school with around 400 students and staff in Celbridge, County Kildare has told parents it is to close temporarily because of safety concerns…For more on this, Ciara is joined by Aidan Farrelly, Social Democrats TD for Kildare North and party Spokesperson for Youth, Children and Equality.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Shane to discuss an ongoing trial in the United States over social media addiction, and how apps can be maliciously designed to keep you on them.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, joins Ciara to discuss the new General Scheme of the Critical Infrastructure Bill, the current concerns around energy prices and the war in Iran.

Many listeners will be aware of the case that we covered concerning Caitlyn, who was sexually assaulted by another UCD student. Following the assault, images were shared among the student body and faculty. Yesterday on the show Ciara spoke to doctors within the healthcare system who had expressed their concerns over UCDs handling of the case.Today the UCD student body came out at a public protest to join those concerns…Joining Shane to discuss is Matt Mion, SU Vice President and Education Officer with UCD’s Student Union.Image: University Observer

A decade ago, a survey found that Irish parents will spend more than €5,400 on children’s birthday parties and gifts by the time their child gets to sixth class, due to inflation over the last 10 years it is safe to assume that figure has risen exponentially.So, what are the average costs facing parents today and is there a way to have a kid's party on a budget?Joining Ciara to discuss is Aideen Finnegan, Presenter of the ‘Better with Money’ podcast to discuss…

Fuel prices could go over €2 a litre at petrol stations according to the Irish Road Hauliers Association, but is it price gauging? Taking advantage of global uncertainty, or is it completely up to the world markets and the situation in the Middle East?Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Shane to discuss.

“Truly exceptional and has to be seen to be believed” was how Mr Justice Brian Cregan described the behaviour of the mother and sister of imprisoned schoolteacher Enoch Burke in contempt of court proceedings against the pair. Martina and Ammi Burke were both sentenced to two weeks each for their behaviour at a hearing last month.Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent, joins Ciara with the latest.

We are currently in an energy crisis, so how can we ensure we increase sources of renewable energy in order to become more self-sufficient?Joining Shane to discuss is local Councillor, Noel Thomas and Oisín Coghlan, Policy advisor to the Environmental Pillar.

The US-Israeli air war against Iran has expanded with no end in sight, with Israel attacking Lebanon in response to strikes by Hezbollah, and Iran firing missiles and drones at Gulf states and a British air base as far away as Cyprus.Joining Ciara to discuss the impact this has on civilians and the current situation in Iran is Seyed Hossein Mousavian, former Iranian Ambassador to Germany & former Spokesperson of Iran Nuclear Dossier.Image: Reuters

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, as part of his 12 best cities in the world, Fionn joined Ciara and Shane to give the ultimate guide to Paris!

A deaf couple, both in employment, are facing a €10,000 bill for hearing aids which they were penalised for working and "moving away" from the disability allowance. James Reardon and Ruth McSkane, who have three young children, say they struggle to raise the €10,000 required every five to seven years for new hearing aids…Joining Shane to discuss this is Danielle McLaughlin, Director of Advocacy and Communication with national deaf and hard of hearing charity, Chime.

Two weeks ago on the Hard Shoulder, we spoke with Katelyn, a student at UCD, and she told us how images of her “nude, bruised and unconscious” after being sexually assaulted were shared and circulated to a significant number of UCD Staff and student body email addresses, and then some months later, to a student WhatsApp group…Over the weekend, doctors working within the Irish healthcare system have written an open letter to UCD, expressing their concerns about these incidents that took place and the University’s reaction, but also to question the moral and ethics of the cohort of students who left vile comments about the image and of Katelyn that was circulated.Dr. Emma Hughes and Dr Nicola Duffy are the two doctors who penned the open letter, and they join Ciara to discuss.If you have been affected by this interview, help is available:You can reach Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on their 24 hr national helpline on 1800 778 888.Or contact Women’s aid on their 24 helpline 1800 341 900.