The Pat Kenny Show

Mary Lou McDonald has indicated that she will go before the Dáil and address the arrest of Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould. We discuss this further along with other political news with Craig Hughes, Political Editor with the Irish Daily Mail.

Our Friday Forum looks back on the main new stories of the week. Joining Pat today in studio was Louise O’Reilly Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers' Rights, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and TD Dublin Fingal West, Naoise Ó Cearúil Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North and also Harry Browne  Senior Lecturer in Journalism at TUD.

This Saturday marks International Women's Day and hundreds of women will take to the streets of the capital. One of the women speaking at the march is Paula Doyle who will be joined by her 4 children.Paula was raped by Aiden Kestell in September 2019 after he walked her home from a party in his house. Mr Kestell was found guilty in 2024 of raping Paula and sentenced jailed for seven-and-a-half years. Since waving her anonymity, Paula has spoken out against the use of counselling notes in cases of sexual assault and advocated for the rights of survivors.Paula joined Pat in studio this morning.

Relations between Europe and the United States are potentially at their most strained in living history. With the trump administration increasingly taking an isolationist approach to its foreign policy. Also with the present geopolitical situation threatening to tear up the international order. John Bolton, former National Security Advisor for the Trump administration and former United wtates Qmbassador to the United Nations joined Pat this morning to discuss this and more.

With only two weekends to go before the winner is crowned, pressuring is mounting on the Irish squad as they take on France in the 6 Nations. Things are heating up in the SSE Airtricity League as Shamrock Rovers face off St Pat’s tonight ahead of another action-packed weekend of sport. Colm Boohig, Broadcaster on Off the Ball looks ahead to the weekend of sport.

Talks between Section 39 pay and the government are to take place today with the threat of industrial action looming once more if an agreement can't be reached. Ashley Connolly, Forsa national secretary for health and welfare joined Pat to discuss.

Yesterday Micheal Martin and Keir Starmer finished up a major British Irish summit where the two leaders discussed defense, energy and investment among other things. Given the geopolitical situation in the present moment. Defense collaboration between the UK and Ireland may prove important in improving the overall security of our islands. Joining Pat this morning in studio was Paul Johnston, British ambassador to Ireland.

Award winning author Colum McCann  joined Pat on the show to discuss his newly published book ‘Twist’.

American Murder - Gabby Petito. What happened in the final days of Gabby Petito's life? John Fardy reviews this gripping true-crime series.  

Five years on from the start of the pandemic, millions of people still face debilitating symptoms. We ask has long Covid been forgotte? All to discuss with Professor Luke O'Neill.

With Jervis shopping centre now on the market, and retail outlets such as new look exiting the market. We ask what does the future of retail look like in Ireland? All to discuss with Damian O'Reilly Senior Lecturer in retail management at the College of Business at TUD.

Young Europeans now get the majority of their news from social media, what are the consequences of this? Especially concerning is that the youngest groups rely on Tiktok exclusively! All this and more to discuss with Author and Disinformation Expert David Robert Grimes.   

This week Cameron Hill from Off The Ball brings us the story of, Massimo Cellino the most eccentric of eccentric Italian football club owner

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent joined Pat this morning for the political roundup of the week. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Tánaiste Micheál Martin are set to meet in Liverpool today. After a chaotic week in global politics, they have much to discuss ahead of Martin’s visit to the White House. 

Social media influencers in Ireland issued with more than 450 letters by Revenue over gifts. This is the latest attempt in response to growth of earnings on social media.  But how many industries are avoiding paying their income tax?To discuss further with Pat was CEO of Fairstone Ireland and AskPaul.ie Paul Merriman.

In this week’s Commuter Slot we hear about the New RSA ad, how young Drivers 85% more likely to be involved in road accidents than older drivers and the penalty point loophole.

Conor Walsh, secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA)  joined Pat on the show this morning. Topics up for discussion was how to tackle illegal dumping, the cost of water mangement and getting recycling.

Making controversial political speech at the Oscars. Necessary or sheer Nonsense? Lisa Cannon brings us some examples of the speeches that caused boos and scandal & those that garnered applause.

 After three years of war in Ukraine the devastation inflicted upon their communities is immense. With the scars of wars not just physically felt but also psychologically. Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland Peter Power is just back from Ukraine and he joined Pat to discuss the impact the war is having on Children in the war torn Country.  

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian McCarthy stood atop a bare concrete roof in Cork city centre and envisioned a transformation. With limited gardening experience, he embarked on an ambitious project: converting this unused urban space into a thriving rooftop farm.Brian joined Pat this morning on the show to tell him all about his gardening journey.

Italia 90 heroes set for stage show honoring 35 years after iconic World Cup. To chat to Pat about the show and Italia 90 memories was Niall Quinn Former Republic of Ireland Footballer and also John Aldridge  Former Liverpool and Republic Of Ireland Footballer. Shows take place in the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin Friday 14th March and  Cork Opera House Sunday 16th March. 

Over 50 invited guests including 25 prospective employers from the hospitality industry gathered at the prison for a final exam like no other. Six prisoners who took part in an intensive eight-week culinary course served up a feast behind bars last night. It’s the fourth year of ‘The Open Door’ pop-up restaurant, which is a collaboration between the Irish Prison Service and Munster Technological University. Newstalk’s southern reporter Jamie O Hara went inside Cork Prison to speak to the people involved

On this week's Green Scene. Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland Dr Ruth Freeman is here to explain some watery skills. We hear how dancing baby sea turtles unlock the secrets of their navigational abilities, and impressive fish memories.All with thanks to Repak.

Urticaria is a skin reaction that causes itchy welts. Chronic hives are welts that last for more than six weeks and return often over months or years. What causes it and what the treatment? To discuss further Pat spoke to Selene Daly Tarpey, Nurse Tutor and Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Alastair Campbell writer, communicator, consultant, strategist, mental health campaigner joined Pat on the show this morning. Up for discussion Trump, Putin and how European leaders have got to understand that this is now a real crisis for Europe and for the Western world.

Apple CEO Tim Cook teased the launch of a new device this week what is expected? Also it was announce that Skype will be no more from May. Newstalk's own Killian Ginnity brings us all the details.

Sarah Corbett Lynch, Author of A time for truth and award-winning bereaved children and victims’ rights campaigner joined Pat on the show this morning.Sarah recounts family life with her stepmother Molly Martens, her experience of the Martens’ trial and the grief she still carries over the loss of her father, which left her, and her brother jack orphaned.

42% of farmers have no family member looking to take over the farm. These are the findings from a new survey from the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association. To discuss this further Pat spoke to Denis Drennan a farmer and also President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association

One of the UK’s leading beauty clinics who also operations here in Ireland has reported a 33% increase in men booking laser hair removal. Why more men are removing their body hair. To discuss further Pat spoke to Stephen McEvoy of Stephen Thomas Male Grooming and Skin Clinic.

Elise Ann Allen, Senior Correspondent of The Crux, joins us to discuss developments in Pope Francis’ condition as he reaches his eighteenth day in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Ireland now has no jet aircraft in the Defence Forces Air Corps. With a handful of PC9 turboprop aircraft the state's ability to police its sky's is limited. To discuss this further with Pat was Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Airport Safety and Security Expert, Declan Power, Defense and Security Expert and also Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford.

With droves and droves of Irish people emigrating to the sunny shores of Australia, does the Down Under Dream live up to its perception? Laura Kennedy and Aisling Moloney both took the plunge and moved to Australia over one year ago. They speak to Pat about their lives in Australia.

Donald Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine. Confirming the decision a white house official declared that the U.S is “pausing and reviewing”, the military aid it contributes to Ukraine. Pat discusses this move by President Trump with Donnacha O Beachain, Professor of Politics at DCU.

Enda Dooley, Hearing Aid Audiologist joins us this morning for World Hearing Day. Enda joined Pat this morning to promote awareness around maintaining your hearing and to encourage you to regularly check your hearing health.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing.

Teasing, intimidation, exclusion and negative comments. Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist tell us how to deal with bullying in the workplace.

Finnish  Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen speaks to Pat in studio ahead of her meeting with Tanaiste Simon Harris future of European security and how the EU can support Ukraine following increased Russian aggression.

Log Cabin owners hear they may face an extra property tax while Irelands first co-housing project for middle agers is unveiled! We hear the views of our housing panel. Joining Pat this morning was Barbara Scully, broadcaster and author,  Dr Lorcan Sir, Senior Lecturer at TU Dublin and also Karl Deeter Karl Deeter, founder of onlineapplication.com.

Pól Ó Conghaile joins us to discuss the many marvelous travel destinations that Northern Ireland has to offer. From a road trip along the Causeway Coast to sleeping in Bubble Domes in Fermanagh, Pól gives us his top travel recommendations. All with thanks to Ryanair.

Anora is the shock winner at last night’s Oscars ceremony. Dee Reddy joined Pat in studio to recap on all the big moments from the 97th Academy Awards. 

Following that shocking meeting between Zelensky and Trump last Friday. The Fallout from the scenes we witnessed in the Oval Office continues. For more on this Pat spoke to Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International Politics at Clinton Institute, UCD and Pat Leahy Political editor with the Irish Times.

A look back on the stories of the week on our Friday Forum. Joining Anton today in studio was Catherine Ardagh Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South Central, Duncan Smith, Labour TD for Dublin Fingal East and Party Whip and Tabitha Monahan, Political Reporter with The Irish Independent.

Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel Gareth Mullins talks through pancakes ahead of pancake Tuesday.

We hear the incredibly story of Dennis Okwera ,from escaping abduction to building schools and hospitals in his hometown. Joining Anton this morning on the show was Dennis Okwera Founder of Lumule Foundation.

A look ahead to the weekend of sport with Colm Boohig from Off The Ball.

A new wave of social media users has emerged who specialise in making content you hate. So what makes this so popular? We discuss this with psychotherapist Richard Hogan.

Only 23 Gardaí were assigned to Roads Policing last year, despite the Commissioner promising to appoint 75. It comes in a year in which 174 people lost their lives on Irish roads. Newstalk’s Alex Rowley reports. 

The Dáil's register of members' interests, published shows 32 of the 174 TDs declared rental income in the last year . Joining Anton this morning to discuss further was Karl Deeter the CEO of OnlineApplication.com.

Why can’t we offer MRIs and ultrasounds in hospital 24/7? Why is it still an accepted norm to wait hours in A&E? Why do issues with staffing, such as spending unnecessary amounts on agency nurses, persist? All to discuss with Dr Chris Luke, Former A&E Consultant and Phil Ní Sheaghdha from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

We look at the career of legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman who died today. Dee Reddy looks at his brilliant career in movies.

Why do some people need less sleep? What is sleep for? Sleep and the immune system and what science says about ‘short-sleepers’. All to discuss with Luke O'Neill Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College.