The Pat Kenny Show

On Saturday, 20 December 2025, Garmin’s emergency autoland was used for the first time in a real-world emergency situation. The emergency autoland system is designed to take control of an aircraft in the event of pilot incapacitation and safely land at a nearby airfield. We discuss further with Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Airport Safety and Security Expert. 

In an age of an online world an increasing amount of people are looking to find love behind screens. Naturally enough, this is leading to burnout and fatigue when it comes to dating apps. But what is a single person to do? Pat chats to Emma Kehoe, Life Coach and host of All Of The Above podcast.

Helmets for e-scooter riders may become compulsory to reduce serious injuries. More than 9,000 people were 'no shows' for driving tests last year and what are the new car for 2026.All to discuss with Geraldine Herbert Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent. 

Donald Trump's ambitions for Greenland are to be discussed at a meeting between the US, Greenland and Denmark this week. The US President ramped up his war of words in recent days, saying he will take the territory 'whether they like it or not' Our report Josh Crosbie is in Greenland and joined Pat this morning on the show.

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 Jim O'Callaghan that will see refugee families having to wait three years before bringing spouses and children to IrelandPat discusses this further with Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central and party spokesperson for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration..

  Problems for Manchester United continue to build as the club lost 2-1 against Brighton in the FA cup under Darren Fletcher. Meanwhile in rugby, Leinster managed to secure a win over La Rochelle in the URC after a dramatic eighty minutes. 

As Ireland moves closer to the introduction of the EU pay transparency directive, salary visibility has become one of the most pressing and unavoidable issues facing employers, recruiters, and jobseekers alike. We ask how will the issue of salary visibility be solved?All to discuss with Avril Clare, Founder and Owner, Avril Clare Recruitment Ltd Property and Asset Management Recruitment Specialists.

Jessie Buckley has been named best female actor at the Golden Globes for her role in Hamnet. The movie also picked up the award for the best motion picture in drama.We hear all about the awards night from Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio, DMG Media. 

After Donald Trump’s intervention in Venezuela, where is next? Lara Marlowe Paris based journalist and author discusses the potential next targets as Trump increases his rhetoric against Cuba and also Iran, following significant protests there in the past two weeks.

Friday Forum reviews the news stories of the week. Joining Pat this morning was  Regina Doherty MEP, Dublin, Fine Gael, Richard Boyd-Barrett TD, Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit and Harry McGee, Political Correspondent, The Irish Times.

Garda figures show that more than 25,000 bicycles have been reported stolen across Ireland since 2019. However, campaigners estimate that up to three-quarters of victims never report their bikes as stolen. So, a question remains what needs to be done to keep bikes safe and keep your wheels moving?All to discuss with Una Morrisson, Spokesperson for Dublin Cycling Campaign.

Gareth brings us some slow cooker style recipes to try in January. Really healthy, not too expensive, freeze well so perfect for batch cooking, nourishing and packed with flavour.  

Ireland’s first purpose built senior living community has opened its doors to new residents. The Heritage Village is based on an Australian model, with a community hub that provides a range of supports from medical care to home maintenance.   When finished it will have 160 homes, purpose built for over 55s with many still working. Supported living could help people downsize and help with the housing crisis. And keep the elderly out of nursing homes.   Henry McKean toured the Heritage Village at Killenard, County Laois and sent this report.  

‘No matter how slow your pace is, you are still a runner’ is the message of Celina Stephenson, Content Creator, founder of Runner’s High Dublin and London and General Manager of Wicklow Way Wines. Celina chatted to Pat this morning.

The FA cup, the rugby Champion’s Cup and the upcoming GAA fixtures. Shane Hannon from Off The Ball previews the weekend of sport.

Despite Ireland deciding to vote against the Mercosur trade agreement, a majority of European countries are expected to approve the agreement today. But will that mean more Brazilian beef in Ireland? All to discuss with Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent, EuroNews and Barry Kerrigan, Managing Director, Kerrigan Butchers.

As Donald Trump’s foreign policy manoeuvres shift from Venezuela to Greenland, much of his rhetoric has caused deep alarm within Europe and beyond. The Trump Administration has made it clear that they intend to acquire the Arctic territory one way or another. However, is the commentary around all this missing some historical context? Newstalk reporter Simon Tierney has been investigating.

A young scientist project has found a glaring gender disparity within math's based school subjects. Three first year students from Kinsale Community School found that from fifth class, girls lose confidence in their ability, thus making them less likely to study the discipline.Joining Pat to discuss their project which is part of The Young Scientist Exhibition was Cushla O'Reilly, Elise O'Sullivan and Caoimhe Ni Charrigan alongside Eoghan O'Leary, teacher at Kinsale Community School and Head of Math's at the Tuition Centre.

Father and 12-year-old son named after suspected murder-suicide in west Dublin. Father and son named locally as Wayne O’Reilly and his son Oisin. Barry White, Chief News reporter Newstalk spoke to locals on their reaction to this tragedy.

A desperate father searching for his runaway daughter gets caught up in a murder case and stumbles upon secrets that could destroy his family for good in New Harlan Coben Netflix Drama Runaway starring James Nesbitt and Minnie Driver.John Fardy tells us all about this show.    

What a week of Premier League managerial sackings. It feels hard to think of a time before the cult of the manager but we didn't always have managers in sport. To take us inside how it all came about, OTB managing editor Adrian Barry.

A 37 year old woman was shot dead by an ICE officer in the American city of Minneapolis yesterday. The woman was in her car and shot by an ICE officer in front of the car as she attempted to drive away.We get the latest on this stateside with Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News, WSHU Public Radio.

How Your brain changes as you age with big changes happening  at 9, 32, 66, and 83. Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin explains all. 

Ahead of Patrick Nevin’s release from prison, we speak to one of his victims who we are calling “Zara” who tells us her story. Listener discretion is advised.

In Poland, TikTok accounts with AI-generated women have been advocating a Polish exit from the European Union and promoting far-right politics. So is anti-EU sentiment on the rise in Poland and are societies becoming more vulnerable to AI content? Pat discusses this further with John O’Brennan, Professor of European Politics, Maynooth University.

Ireland is set to vote against the contentious Mercosur trade deal tomorrow, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have confirmed.  This may keep the peace within the coalition, but will it spell trouble for Ireland’s rapport with Brussels? Pat discusses this and more with Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post.

Another bout of cold weather is fast approaching us with Storm Goretti on the way. The storm has wreaked havoc already on the continent, with over 1,000 travelers stranded at Schiphol airport. In other news, the sanctioned Marinera Tanker was finally seized in the North Atlantic yesterday by US Forces, in conjunction with the UK Defence Ministry.Pat discusses this and more with Enda Brady, TV Anchor with TRT World.

The dark history of the white genocide myth. From 18th Century France to the Dreyfus affair, Enoch Powell, Rhodesia, the alt-right - and a chunk of current EU Leaders too!All to discuss with David Robert Grimes, Disinformation Expert, Author of The Irrational Ape.

How to take care of your skin in the winter months, cold weather and post Christmas indulgence. Professor Niki Ralph, consultant Dermatologist with the institute of dermatology gives us advice and guidance.

This spring, the man known as “The Tinder Rapist” will be free to leave the midlands prison in county Laois. Patrick Nevin, previously ofnow of no fixed abode, has been in custody since 2014 for the attack of three women over an eleven day period in 2014. We get the details from Stephen Breen, Crime Editor, The Irish Sun.

There’s something about the New Year that cinema understands better than almost anything else. That strange pause between who we were and who we might become. And some of the best films don’t just use New Year’s Eve as a backdrop they use it as a turning point.” Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio, DMG Media tell us all about these films.

Over the past number of days we have been focusing on events in Venezuela. Conditions on the ground continue to be unpredictable with the maduro regime essentially intact without him. Jeeny Maltese is a Venezuelan-Irish chef and has been watching events from afar but also attempting to make contact with friends and family back in Venezuela.

In 1636 for a few glittering months the tulip sat at the centre of the first great speculative bubble in European history. A single flower bulb, not even in bloom yet, had just changed hands for more than the price of a fine house with a garden on the smartest canal in Amsterdam. We now call it Tulip Mania, Diarmuid Gavin tells us more.

As most of us return to work this week a quarter of workers say they are unhappy in their jobs. With almost one in ten planning to hand in their notices in January, a new survey has revealed and work place trends for 2026.  Pat discusses this further with Donal O'Donoghue, Managing Director Sanderson Recruitment. 

Inspired by her father’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, former CNN and RTÉ journalist Fionnuala Sweeney, explores both the challenges and the constantly evolving therapies, for dementia, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the symptoms and how to live well longer.Professor Seán Kennelly, Head of the Institute of Memory and Cognition at Tallaght University Hospital and Consultant Geriatrician and Fionnuala both joined Pat to chat about the The Many Faces Of Alzheimer’s podcast.

Oil prices fell sharply last year, and they are expected to stay low for 2026. Sadly though, the Irish motorist isn’t going to see it. M50 a ‘cash cow’ as drivers pay higher tolls on increasingly congested roads. Total funds collected could have covered the construction cost more than 30 times over. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.  

European leaders show support for Greenland as U.S. increases its takeover overtures. We get the latest with Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg.

The Taoiseach has described reports of the Grok artificial intelligence tool being used to create sexually explicit images of adults and children on social media as "shocking" and "unacceptable". Yet Irish authorities have refrained from tackling Elon Musk on this. We ask why with Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor at the Irish and Sunday Independent.

Today marks the third day of Taoiseach Michael Martin’s official visit to China.  Trade remains high on the agenda as well international relations following Donald Trump’s comments on possible military action in Greenland. He met with the Kerry Group along with WuXi Biologics, who employ about 700 people in Dundalk, and Trip.com, as this market could be very strong for Irish tourism.We get the latest from China with Newstalk Report Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter.

Finally we might have a way to stop nearly all microplastics from our laundry before they enter the environment. Thanks to a new fish-inspired filter that removes over 99 % of these tiny plastic fibres from washing machine wastewater. Scientists are now arguing that microbes underpin almost every ecosystem on the planet, from fertile soils to healthy oceans.All to discuss on this week's Green Scene with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Government ministers are to return for their first Cabinet meeting after the winter recess. Issues such as immigration, data centres and the triple lock are all on the agenda today, and here to tell us more about it Pat was joined by Sean Defoe, Newstalk political correspondent and host of the Let Me Explain podcast.

Autonomous driving technology is expected to dominate the CES trade show in Las Vegas this week as investors bet that artificial intelligence will invigorate an industry beset by slow progress, high costs, safety incidents and regulatory scrutiny. For more on this Pat was joined by Jess Kelly Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.All with thanks to Renault.

No bottled water in school meal scheme would save €10 million. Ten million euros is what the state would save if they scrapped bottled water in the school meal scheme. That’s according to a review by the Irish Government Economic and evaluation service. We discuss this further with Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD Kildare North.

A new year brings a new world of travel possibilities. So what new flights are available from Ireland, and what travel trends that will shape how we holiday? Pól O Conghaile, Travel Editor with The Irish Independent bring us all the travel trends for 2026.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were arraigned in a New York courtroom yesterday. The pair pled not guilty to drugs and weapons charges with maduro striking a defiant tone, stating he was the President of Venezuela and had been kidnapped.We get the latest on this with Sam Kiley, World Affairs Editor, The Independent and also Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio.

A warning about the dangers of unlicensed Botox procedures. Getting botox or filler from an unlicensed practitioner can have “devastating consequences”, a doctor has warned. Dr Caitríona Kieran, vice-president of the Irish College of Aesthetic Medicine (ICAM), said some people view getting aesthetic procedures “in the same way as popping in to get your hair done for Christmas, or a facial”. Pat discusses this further with Professor Caitriona Ryan Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology. 

Following his military intervention in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump has turned his sights to other potential targets – one of which has previously come onto his radar: Greenland. The Danish territory is home to a US Space Force base but Trump has restated his desire to now fully take the country. Pat discusses this and more with Mogens Lykketoft, Former Foreign Minister for Denmark. 

Do you often find yourself battling with others to turn the heating up or down? Or maybe people in your workplace are feeling colder than you despite sitting under the same air conditioning. Well, what does that actually mean and what makes women feel the cold more than men? All to chat about with Leona Donaghy, PhD researcher in the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment at Ulster University.

Today marks the second day of Taoiseach Michael Martin’s official visit to China and trade was high on the agenda.  However Martin’s meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing was mired with questions surrounding the ousting of Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela.Pat spoke to Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter who is reporting for us in China.

As the fallout from Maduro’s ousting continues, as it's estimated that a dozen oil tankers are trying to escape a US naval blockade of Venezuela country and one was 250 miles off the coast of Ireland. Pat discusses this further with Conor Gallagher, Security Correspondent with the Irish Times.