
The Hard Shoulder Highlights
The Hard Shoulder Highlights with Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk.
Join Kieran every weekday afternoon from 4-7pm for a round-up of the day’s events, interviews with the people at the centre of the stories – and a bit of craic along the way.
Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.
You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Latest episodes

Jun 3, 2025 • 8min
Do we need a national database for dog microchips?
Calls have been made for a national database for dog microchip registration to replace the current four database system to aid a crackdown on dog breeding regulation, and enable dog wardens to identify the dogs involved in attacks on livestock…But, how essential is a central database?Joining Kieran to discuss is Maeve O'Connell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, who is calling for the change, and Limerick-based Veterinarian, Donal Ryan.

Jun 3, 2025 • 6min
How easy is it to buy guns on the dark web?
Evan Fitzgerald was on bail for gun charges when he entered a Carlow shopping centre yesterday and fired shots, before fatally shooting himself.Last year, he was caught with guns and ammunition which he admitted to having bought on the 'dark web', a part of the internet where users operate through anonymity.But, what is the dark web, how common is it to buy guns here, and what can be done about it?Joining Kieran to answer some of these questions is Cyber Security Expert, Ronan Murphy, Chief Strategist for Forcepoint and Chairman of SmartTech247.

Jun 3, 2025 • 7min
Pedestrians and cyclists urged to “Be Sound” to each other on shared greenways
Pedestrians and Cyclists need to “Be Sound” to each other on shared greenways.Officials from Dublin City Council are soon to launch an information campaign to “remind all users of their responsibilities” along traffic free paths along Dublin’s canals and rivers.Joining Kieran to discuss this further is Green Party Councilor, Janet Horner.

May 30, 2025 • 23min
Winners and Sinners
This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Feature Writer with the Irish Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

May 30, 2025 • 13min
Gearóid Farrelly on masculinity, comedy and Dancing with the Stars
Comedian and Writer Gearóid Farrelly joins Kieran for a chat while he is on tour for ‘Gearóid Rage’!

May 30, 2025 • 16min
You Are What You Eat: 7 Salads, 7 Days
Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to discuss how you can make 7 (maybe 6) salads to cover 7 days!

May 30, 2025 • 9min
Sport with Eoin Sheahan
Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…Image: @ChampionsLeague on X / Twitter

May 30, 2025 • 11min
Neil Prendeville on his infamous Richard Satchwell interviews
A jury has found Richard Satchwell guilty of murdering his wife Tina at their home in Youghal, Co Cork, in 2017.Now that the verdict is in, we can cast our minds back to all those interviews that he did after his wife’s death – and in particular, what those who spoke to him during those times made of him...One of those interviewers was Neil Prendeville of Cork’s Red FM. He joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Cork’s Red FM Facebook

May 30, 2025 • 9min
Should we ban smoking outdoors in public? - Henry McKean Asks
France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that children visit, according to their Health and Family Minister.The ban will come into force from July 1st and will include beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops and sports venues. Ireland was a trend-setter on the indoor smoking ban back in 2004; should we follow France this time?Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

May 30, 2025 • 4min
Gerry Adams wins defamation case against the BBC
Gerry Adams has won €100,000 in damages over a BBC story about the murder of a British agent.The former Sinn Féin leader alleged he was defamed in a BBC NI Spotlight programme broadcast in 2016 and an accompanying online article, in which an anonymous contributor alleged he sanctioned the 2006 murder of Denis Donaldson.He denies any involvement.Journalist Amanda Ferguson joins Kieran to discuss.