The Hard Shoulder

From jackets to pyjamas, are we pampering our dogs too much? Is it strange to be humanizing them?Joining Shane to discuss is Nanci Creedon, Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

From the occasional sweet as a reward, to the endless sugar available at a birthday party, junk food has become a significant part of children’s diet. But when they are bombarded with it both in person and with advertising online, what impact does the eating of junk food have on their brain?Dr Harriet Shellekens, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience at UCC has just completed a study on this, and joins Ciara to talk through the findings.

A man in his 50s has been arrested in connection with the investigation into the murder of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine last year.Sinead Kelleher from The Kerryman joins Shane with the latest…

Market rents across the country rose by 4.4% last year, 80% higher than they were a decade ago, with the average monthly rent for an apartment in Dublin city now almost €2,700. That’s according to the latest Rental Report by Daft.ie. This comes on the same day that an overhaul of rent regulations has been signed into law by President Catherine Connolly.Joining Ciara to discuss is Eoin Ó Broin, SF Housing Spokesperson and Mary Conway from the Irish Property Owners Association.

The High Court is set to assess damages owed to Nikita Hand by her former neighbours after they failed to respond to her claim for damages accusing them of abusing court processes.For more on this, Shane is joined by Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent.

Tomorrow, fighting in Ukraine will enter its fifth year, after Vladimir Putin launched Europe’s biggest conflict since World War Two.Joining Ciara to discuss and look back on four years of war is Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent for France24 and RFI.Image: Reuters

Ten years ago, the North East Inner City taskforce was established to try and improve an area of Dublin impacted by poverty and criminality. The NEIC has today published its annual report, which details its ongoing work in the community. Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie was there for the report’s launch, and joins Ciara to discuss.Image: NEIC

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Shane is joined by Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Development Therapist & Founder of Cogni Kids to discuss how you can raise resilient children.

Peter Mandelson has been arrested for suspicion of misconduct in public office.Vincent McAvinney, London Based Journalist, joins Ciara with the latest information.

The Minister for Sport must work collaboratively with League of Ireland clubs to ensure safety instead of making knee-jerk threats to cut funding.That’s the view of Ruairí Ó Murchú, Sinn Féin TD for Louth who joins Shane to discuss.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning you may have heard Anton Savage and Claire Byrne chatting about how Chip Sticks are not what they used to be, not as tangy in flavour for example. But, are they really losing their flavour, or are we just getting older?Joining Ciara to discuss is Suzanne Kane, Broadcaster and self-proclaimed ‘corn snack queen’ and Phil Smyth, aka ‘Phil of Science’, Physicist and Broadcaster.

On Wednesday ‘Forever is Now’ will be screened as part of the Dublin International Film Festival.It follows former Green party leader Eamon Ryan and his team over the last 18 months of the Irish Green Party’s time in Government, while also taking a look at his relationship with his autistic son, Tommy.Eamon Ryan joins Shane to discuss.Image: Soilsiú Films

Following another tragic weekend on Irish roads, what needs to be done to improve road safety?David Martin, Media Relations Manager at the RSA joins Ciara to discuss.

“A third of the population lives in a rural community, yet we have one of the worst public transport networks in Europe. That’s not by accident; it’s a political choice”. So says Writer Emma De Souza.What needs to be done by the Government to support rural communities?Emma joins Shane and Martha Gilheaney, Lecturer in Dublin, to discuss.

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…

He may be better known as Dr Derek Shepard at the Seattle Grace Hospital, but since departing our screens on Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey has turned his attention to slightly darker, more sinister roles. His latest venture is that a photocopier salesman and father… but has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. And he is also a hitman…‘Memory of a Killer’ is out now on Amazon Prime and Patrick joins Ciara to discuss!

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

The United States Supreme Court has struck down the majority of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The court, which has a conservative majority, saw two of the conservative justices side with their liberal counterparts to strike down the tariffs in a six three ruling.Joining Ciara to discuss is David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with The Guardian, Dr Nora Strecker, Associate Professor of Economics at UCD and Pat Rigney, owner of Shed distillery, which makes Drumshanbo whiskeys and gins.Image: Reuters

After week one of cheating on and off the ice, what are the big stories of week two of the Winter Olympics?Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss is Barry Kenny, Communications Manager with Iarnród Éireann, and Olympics superfan!Image: Reuters

This week the National Bus and Railworkers’ Union called for high visibility clothing for cyclists and e-scooter users to reduce the risks for both drivers and riders, but is this more of an enforcement issue given that high vis clothing is already supposed to be worn at night time?Joining Ciara to discuss is Jason Cullen, of the Dublin Commuter Coalition.

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

The headline in the UCD paper, The University Observer reads: ‘UCD Fails to Safeguard Against Image-Based Sexual Assault’ after image of student who had been raped sent to staff and students”.The article outlined the incident of a medical student in UCD who had a “nude, bruised and unconscious image of herself shared and circulated to a significant number of UCD staff email addresses and then some months later to a student WhatsApp group.The issue was raised in the Dáil by Ruth Coppinger; the People Before Profit TD stated that “The image was procured after she was raped by a student, a rape that she chose not to report”.Earlier in the show Shane spoke to the in question student, Katelyn, which is not her real name.For more on this, Shane is joined by Ruth Coppinger of the People Before Profit Solidarity & Rachel Morrogh, Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

Lisa Canny, the creator of the all-female trad group Biird joins Ciara for this week’s Thursday Interview!

The Minister for Transport has rejected calls from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to remove the barriers that are preventing Uber and Bolt from fully entering the Irish taxi market and allowing drivers to use their own cars to provide taxi rides without a special license.The CCPS said that the current regulation is holding the industry back and means a lack of choice for consumers, but would it be a solution to our current taxi shortage? Danny O’Gorman is the General Manager of FreeNow Ireland and joins Ciara to discuss.

“UCD Fails to Safeguard Against ‘Image-Based Sexual Assault’ after image of student who had been raped sent to staff and students”.This is the headline on the article written by Adam Schmitz and Orla Mahon for the UCD University Paper, the University Observer.It details the incident of a medical student in UCD who had a “nude, bruised and unconscious” image of herself shared and circulated to a significant number of UCD Staff and student email addresses and then some months later to a student WhatsApp group.Shane sat down a little earlier with this student, who we will call Katelyn for the benefit of this interview, and we have also changed her voice to protect her anonymity…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.

‘Leg danglers are the swimming pool equivalent of people who stand at the end of an escalator’ so says Ceire Sadlier, Irish Times contributor who suggests that we all need a lesson in pool etiquette. It is an opinion shared by Dr Clare Moriarty, a Research Fellow at the TCD Long Room Hub, so is it time we all got a lesson in how to behave in the pool?Céire and Clare join Ciara to discuss the etiquette and importance of access to pools across the country.

US tech giant Apple have announced an expansion to their Irish operations with a new Dublin office set to open later this year.Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly has been speaking to Apple’s VP of Places Kristina Raspe to find out more, and joins Ciara to discuss.

With the multiple weeks of heavy rain and general poor weather, how is this impacting farmers and their ability to work?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins Shane to discuss…

Today, former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested for suspicion of misconduct in public office.Joining Shane with the latest information and commentary is Iain Dale, LBC News & Radio Presenter, Royal Commentator and author and Victoria Howard, Royal Commentator and Editor and Founder of The Crown Chronicles.

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 properly kiss someone! As in, how much tongue is too much tongue?

The cost of buying a home in Dublin has now reached €500,000. That’s according to the latest figures from The Central Statistics office. But, how is this pushing out our young people that are trying to get onto the property ladder?Joining Ciara to discuss is Newstalk's own Kathleen Keane and James Kavanagh, Podcaster and Presenter.

The Government is being urged to expedite its publishing of an updated national Climate Action Plan which is meant to be updated annually and include updated targets and initiatives to keep our long-term emission targets in sight. A group of five academics have written to the Taoiseach and Minister for the Environment urging them to expedite its updating as the budget for this year has not yet been published.Darren Clarke is an Assistant Professor in Climate in DCU, and joins Shane to discuss.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara to discuss a proposal for digital infrastructure to make the internet safer for young people, and what that would look like.

Dublin City Council is looking into the possibility of turning vacant retail premises around the city into staffed “concierge-type” public toilets.Claire Byrne, Green Party Councillor for Dublin South East Inner City joins Shane to discuss.

A major review of the North Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service has found there was a risk of moderate or major harm in respect of more than half of the cases on the service’s books in 2022.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Dr Kieran Moore, Medical Paediatric Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UCD & Davin Godfrey, Leading Campaigner for the Victims of North Kerry CAMHS.

Why men telling women to “smile” and “look happy” has nothing to do with happiness, and everything to do with control, so says Newstalk's own Simon Tierney  in a recently published article. But, is this something that is starting to die out, or is it as blatant as ever?Joining Shane to discuss is Saoirse Hanley, Features writer with The Irish Independent.

Directly-elected Mayor for Limerick, John Moran, has said some local councillors are being “hostile” towards him and have been acting on a strategy to make his role “unbearable”.His time as mayor so far has been described as divisive, and it all came to a head after a seven-hour meeting regarding the council’s corporate plan, which John Moran took ill and had to leave.Mayor for Limerick, John Moran, joins Ciara to discuss…

As cash continues to die, we wanted to see if it was possible to spend a day just paying in cash and a day just paying with a card or contactless?Henry McKean was put to the task, and joins Shane to discuss how he got on…

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 Bangkok in Thailand!

AI has infiltrated many industries, and the music industry is no exception but how easy is it to identify an AI generated song?Joining Ciara to discuss is Dr. Martin Clancy, IRC Research Fellow at the Center for Digital Humanities, Trinity College Dublin.

Jesse Jackson, one of America’s most influential civil rights figures after the death of Martin Luther King Jr, has died at the age of eighty four. Mr Jackson was present on the day King was assassinated and also fought for the Democratic nomination for president twice, in 1984 and 1988.Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer, University of Galway and Columnist with the Journal joins Ciara to look back on his life…Image: Reuters

A protest began on George’s Street in Dublin this evening outside The Hoxton Hotel as campaigners seek to voice their opposition to legal action taken against the neighbouring Yamamori Izakaya, which was spoken about on the programme yesterday.At the protest is Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, musician, protest organiser and People Before Profit member. He joins Shane to discuss.

Family Psychotherapist, Columnist and co-host of the Go Loud podcast ‘They Mess You Up’ Richard Hogan joined Ciara to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Mayor of Limerick John Moran has alleged that local councillors are deploying tactics to make sure his term is not successful…Joining Ciara to discuss this is Nick Rabbitts, Reporter with the Limerick Leader.

Last week Ireland was drawn to play Israel in this year’s Nations League with a home leg at the Aviva Stadium on 4th October and an away leg before that on 27th September. Much debate has ensued since about whether we should partake in the fixtures in the backdrop of the Israel/Gaza war. Bernard O’Byrne is the former FAI CEO, former Basketball Ireland CEO and a former board member of FIBA, the European Basketball Federation and has previously tried, without success, to see Israel banned from basketball competitions and joins Shane to discuss.

This year marks 7 years of All Together Now, and today they announced 60 acts that you can expect to see at the weekend festival.The list includes Pulp, Kneecap, Disclosure, The Mary Wallopers, Christy Moore and more.Joining Ciara to discuss all is Will Rolfe, Creative Director of POD Festivals, and the man behind All Together Now…

The Minister for Education has announced a pause to the review of Special Needs Assistant allocations following concerns raised by parents and schools.Joining Shane to discuss this is Michelle Cotterill, Principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel Boys National School in Glenageary.

What are the small maintenance fixes you need to do regularly to save yourself money in the long run?Joining Ciara with his tips is Peter Finn, aka Pete the Builder.

Following opening night of 'The Monk' play at Dublin's Ambassador Theatre last night, a production by Rex Ryan along with Gerry Hutches appearance and Q&A, is this simply art or an example of glorifying crime?Joining Shane to discuss  is Eimer McAuley, News Reporter with the Journal.ie and Crime Journalist, Paul Williams.

The Hoxton Hotel, a new hotel on Dublin’s Exchequer Street is seeking an injunction over music noise levels from an adjoining restaurant and late night music venue, Yamamori Izakaya. The hotel is alleging that noise has resulted in the closure of 31 of its 129 bedrooms and wants further acoustic protection installed by Yamamori. But, where does the onus lie when it comes to noise in city centre developments? And is noise just something that has to be accepted in a city centre?Ray O’Donoghue is Dublin City’s Night Time Economy Advisor and Andrea Horan is the Owner of Tropical Popical nail salon. They join Ciara to discuss.