Brendan O'Connor The Newspaper Panel
Jan 18, 2026
Brid Smith, a community activist known for her housing advocacy; Larry Donnelly, a law lecturer with a knack for political analysis; Oisín Coughlan, a public policy advisor; and Ellen Coyne, a political correspondent with the Irish Times, join in a lively discussion. They dive into topics like Trump's Greenland tariffs, the influence of far-right narratives on youth, and the implications of migration on housing. The panel also tackles the complexities of AI regulation, the tragic case of Mason O'Connor Conway, and international responses to unrest in Iran.
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Episode notes
NATO Credibility At Risk
- Dan Mulhall warned Trump's tariffs and Greenland threats risk undermining NATO's credibility and European security guarantees.
- He argued the EU must respond firmly and may need equivalent measures to show the US this is not "easy street."
Deep Anti‑European Mindset
- Larry Donnelly described the US administration's posture as increasingly anti-European and dismissive of European social models.
- He highlighted very high approval ratings among Trump's voters, which complicates political pushback in the US.
Algorithms Fuel Far‑Right Growth
- Brid Smith said algorithms and social media are accelerating far‑right recruitment and radicalisation of young men.
- She warned migration fears are being deliberately conflated with housing problems to stoke division.
