The Hard Shoulder

What impact do you think it would have on your mental health if your loved one died and you weren’t able to bury them?For the loved ones of victims of the Troubles, this is their reality.Newstalk’s James Wilson has this report on the legacy the disappearance of the dead continues to have on the mental health of families in Northern Ireland…If you have any information about the Disappeared, you can contact the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains, where all information is legally privileged on 01 602 8655.This report was supported by the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism, in partnership with Shine.If you have been affected by anything you heard, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123.

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Lawyers for the Dublin Airport Authority have been due to submit an affidavit to the High Court today in response to allegations made by CEO Kenny Jacobs.It could heighten tensions between the DAA and Jacobs.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post.

A judge has ordered the immediate arrest of Enoch Burke for again breaching an injunction restraining him from going to a school in Co Westmeath for the second day in a row, having been released from prison earlier this week.Shane Phelan is Legal Affairs Editor for the Irish Independent, and joins Ciara to discuss.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has been urged to temporarily extend pub licensing hours for the World Cup if the Republic of Ireland qualifies, but would publicans also be in favour?Joining Ciara to discuss is Michael Farrell, of Farrells Bar in Youghal.

Tory politician Robert Jenrick, who at one stage was being talked about as becoming a one-day leader of the Conservative Party, has defected to Reform UK after being sacked from Kemi Badenoch’s front bench.Will this make it more or less likely that we will see Nigel Farage become UK Prime Minister in the near future?LBC Presenter James O’Brien joins Ciara to discuss.

Teachers in Monksland National School in Co Louth are eating their lunch in their cars due to the lack of space in the school and enrollment numbers doubling over the past decade…For more on this, Ciara is joined by Darragh Smith, acting Principal of Monksland NS in Louth and Ruairí Ó Murchú, Sinn Féin TD for Co Louth.

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

Last week, Airlines for America filed a complaint to the US Department of Transport over Dublin Airport’s passenger cap.To explain this decision, I’m now joined by Senior Vice President of International Affairs at Airlines for America, which represents the US airline industry, Keith Glatz.Also joining to discuss is Travel Journalist Eoghan Corry, and later Michael O’Leary, Group CEO of Ryanair.

A new strategy has this week been approved by the Cabinet aimed at enabling the further development of energy intensive facilities, including data centres.It’s an issue that has divided our listeners this week, and so we thought it would be great to get the answer from the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke.He joins Ciara to discuss.

The European Union Copernicus Climate Change Service has confirmed that 2025 was the third warmest year on record.Global temperatures from the past three years averaged more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial levels.The world is getting warmer, but it seems like action isn’t as urgent as it needs to be. So, does the climate emergency have a messaging problem?Barry McLoughlin of the Communications Clinic joins Ciara to discuss.

Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced a new food pyramid with quite a few changes, to ‘Make America Healthy Again’. But, how effective is it?To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Sandra Wilkinson from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute.

Nuisance noise, bad parking and strange smells...According to a recent chill insurance survey - these are some of the most common gripes we have with our neighbours. And with people living in closer proximities and working from more than before, neighbourly disputes are increasingly getting out of hand and into the courts.  Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

Everyone loves getting a deal in all walks of life, but does this apply to the purchasing of workout equipment, or should you show caution?To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Personal and Wellness Trainer, John Belton.

The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, according to a US official, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.Tehran is seeking to deter US President Donald Trump's repeated threats to intervene on behalf of anti-government protesters.The UN Security Council has been due to meet in Iran today at the request of the United States.Ali Ansari is Professor of Iranian History & Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews. He joins Ciara to discuss.Image: Reuters

Now, let’s talk Traitors - don't worry, no spoilers here this evening!If you’ve been watching these series so far, you will have heard the players talk about their past experience as detectives, barristers or those who have had FBI training… so they have really upped their game this year to try and be the best player.But, can you be taught these things so quickly? And does it really help with gameplay?Joining Ciara to discuss is Darren Stanton, a former police officer, behaviour and body Language expert and also known as TV’s Human Lie Detector.

Are children starting school lacking basic skills? There are concerns that kids' exposure to phones and the internet from an early age is having a negative impact in ways that were once taken for granted.To discuss this,Ciara is joined by Principal of St Patrick’s National School in Greystones, Co Wicklow, Rachel Harper, and Principal of Bunscoil na Cathrach in Co Tipperary, and Vice President of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, Brendan Horan.

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 to discuss how you can improve your signature!

Enoch Burke has been released from Mountjoy Prison following an order from a High Court judge earlier.Burke had been in jail since late November for breaches of a court order directing him not to trespass at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath, where he worked as a teacher.For more on this, Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney joins Ciara.

Yesterday yet another increase of alcohol prices was announced with the price of Guinness increasing. As these hikes continue, many people may opt to have a drink at home rather than in the pub, but is this negatively impacting children that are also in the house?Joining Ciara to discuss is Siobhain O’Neill White from Mams.ie. and Brendan Kelly, Psychiatry Professor at Trinity College Dublin.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara Doherty to discuss how you can deactivate or delete your X account if you are so inclined.

US President Donald Trump has said that anything less than Greenland "in the hands" of the United States is "unacceptable", reiterating his demand for control of the Danish territory.His comments come as Greenlandic and Danish Foreign Ministers are to meet US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington today.Joining Ciara to discuss the latest updates and give their reactions is David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief for The Guardian, Barry Andrews, Fianna Fáil MEP and rapporteur for the Parliament's position on EU-Greenland relations and Tilli Martinussen Greenlandic Politician and former MP.

The UK Government’s appeal on the dismissal of Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s alleged terror offence has not reached a judgement after hearings today.Joining Ciara with the latest updates is Newstalk Reporter Ellen Butler, who has been outside of the Royal Courts of Justice.

The Oireachtas Committee on Media held a hearing this afternoon on the regulation of online platforms and online safety. There was a particular focus on the recent controversy surrounding the Grok AI feature on X.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Alan Kelly, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport and Labour TD for Tipperary North and Aidan O'Brien, Researcher at DCU School of Communications, who attended the Oireachtas meeting today.

As the Beckham family feud rumors rumble on, the latest in the saga is a legal letter sent by eldest son Brooklyn Beckham to his parents David and Victoria, suggesting no signs of improvement despite hopes of mending relations…For more on this, Ciara is joined by Entertainment Journalist, Olivia Fahy.

The hot school meals programme provided to schools is not sustainable, and there are concerns over procurement, nutrition and waste, an Oireachtas committee heard this afternoon.It is now available to all 3,700 primary schools feeding up 682,000 children.But Educate Together say that the current model is not sustainable…Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Ciara to discuss.

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 Doherty to give the ultimate guide to Stockholm in Sweden!

A second swan has been killed in a suspected dog attack sparking demands for CCTV and stricter laws to control dogs at Bray Harbour.Joining Ciara to discuss Pete Wedderburn, Bray-based Vet.

The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Mark Kelly, was before the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration today, following concerns raised in the Office of the Inspector of Prisons’ Annual Report for 2024.To discuss the latest around all this, Mark Kelly joins Ciara.

Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman joins Ciara Doherty to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

An inquest into the case of George Nkencho was formally opened this week, who was shot dead by Gardai on December 30th 2020.To discuss the latest developments, Ciara is joined by Irish Times Journalist and Historian, Ronan McGreevy.

New data centres will soon be allowed to be built in the capital and greater Dublin area.In the previous Government, Eamon Ryan had introduced restrictions due to issues around energy constraints on the electricity grid.Today, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke announced a 17-point plan called the ‘Large Energy User Action Plan’ or LEAP, which would enable the rollout of sustainable data centre development between now and the end of the decade.Joining Ciara to discuss this is James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South and Deirdre Duffy, CEO of Friends of the Earth Ireland.

NASA is set to bring home four astronauts which are expected to return to Earth within days after an astronaut suffered a health issue, the first such medical evacuation from the station in NASA’s history.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Leo Enright, Space Commentator and former Chairman of the Irish Government’s Science Awareness Program.

It’s been reported by Iranian officials that around 2,000 protesters have been killed in protests in the country.It’s as two weeks of intense protests continue to escalate.One of those concerned for what is happening over in Iran is human rights activist Mansoureh Bekhish, who joins Ciara to discuss. Also joining to discuss is Bernard Phelan, who was imprisoned in Iran in 2022...Image: Reuters

After a long Christmas break, the Dáil is back in session.Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe has been keeping an eye out, and joins Ciara to discuss what happened on the first day back…

Diageo has announced that the price of a pint of Guinness is set to increase next month, along with a number of other products.To discuss this and the impact it may have on the drinks sector, Ciara is joined by Chairperson of the Donegal Vintners Federation, Fine Gael Cllr Martin Harley and Economist at TU Dublin, Emma Howard.

Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at last night's Golden Globes. Newstalk’s Henry McKean visited Jessie's old school Ursuline Secondary School in Thurles and her home town of Killarney. Speaking to her old Principal, friends and even Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal themselves recently at the Hamnet Irish premiere.

The European Union is considering further sanctions against Iran in response to the violent crackdown against protesters.The EU has previously imposed numerous sanctions against Iran for human rights violations, selling drones and missiles to Russia, and its nuclear program.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Bel Trew, The Independent's Chief International Correspondent.

The Dáil resumes tomorrow with the first session of 2026.So time to mark our cards: what issues are the Government facing this term?Fionnan Sheahan is Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, and joins Ciara to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Ciara Doherty is joined by Psychologist Aisling O’Connor to discuss what to do when your child has a tantrum…

The first ever autistic Barbie doll to represent neurodivergent children has been launched by the toy giant Mattel.The Barbie features accessories like a fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones, and a communication tablet, but is this a positive move by the toy mogul or too generalised of a representation of autism?Joining Ciara to discuss is actor Brian Mulvey and Adam Harris, CEO and Founder of AsIAm.Image: Mattel

New figures are showing a significant increase on hospital waiting lists nationally.Figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund for December show that there are 894,369 patients on hospital waiting lists across the country, an increase of more than 86,300 on the same time last year.Nearly 10 years ago the 2017 Sláintecare report, which was aimed at overhauling the health service, recommended maximum wait times of no more than 12 weeks for an inpatient/day case procedure and 10 weeks for a new outpatient appointment.Will we ever see that?Joining Ciara to discuss is Priscilla Lynch, Clinical Editor with the Medical Independent and Stephen McMahon Co-Founder and Director of the Irish Patients Association.

Shrinkflation is not only making our chocolate bars smaller, but our books too! However, unlike with chocolate, the reason your book is smaller is not down to the cost of producing it, but rather our decreasing attention spans.Joining Ciara to discuss Sarah Maria Griffin, author of ‘Eat the Ones You Love’.

The US is due to meet with Danish officials this week about Greenland.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie, who is speaking with locals in Greenland. Also joining to discuss is former US Diplomat, Policy Adviser and Analyst for Republican leadership in the US Senate, Jim Jatras.

A woman has admitted to banning her husband from picking a film on movie night due to the disturbing ones he picked that left her distraught every time she sat down to watch TV.It got us thinking, who should gain custody of the remote? Should it always be a 50-50 split or, if you don’t like your partner’s film of choice, is separate screens the most sensible option?Joining Ciara to discuss is Journalist and Sunday Independent Film Critic, Chris Wasser and Freelance Journalist, Niamh O’Reilly.

The Minister for Justice is expected to bring a bill to cabinet to overhaul the states' asylum system.One of the many new changes includes new plans proposed by Minister Jim O'Callaghan that will see refugee families having to wait three years before bringing spouses and children to Ireland.Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

This week, Ciara Doherty was joined by Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy and Saoirse Hanley, Feature Writer with the Irish Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Tomorrow will mark ten years since the death of legendary musician, David Bowie. To reflect on his life, Ciara is joined by Musician and Author, BP Fallon.

A fitness executive in the US has sparked debate online following his claims that golf cannot be considered as exercise. He said it’s fun and recreation, but that’s it.To discuss this further, Ciara is joined by Sport Scientist Liam Hughes.

Claire Fullam, Trichologist and owner of Trua and Remi recently got a diagnosis of AuDHD. AuDHD is both autism and ADHD.She joins Ciara to discuss what it’s like to receive this news as an adult.