The Hard Shoulder

The EU has hit Elon Musk's X with an investigation over AI chatbot Grok's generation of sexualised deepfake images of women and minors.It is the latest step of an international backlash against the tool.To explain, Ciara is joined by Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher.

Joining Ciara is Trócaire's CEO, Sean Farrell, who returned from The West Bank on Thursday and visited a number of communities across the West Bank to hear of their situation and the challenges they are currently encountering…Image: Reuters

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Ciara is joined by Psychotherapist and author Iseult White to discuss the topic of honesty with your children, and if them lying is actually an early sign of intelligence…

In a tweet, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that Gardaí deported 33 Polish and Lithuanian nationals from Ireland, under the Free Movement Directive.In total, 31 men were deported along with two women. They were made up of 17 Polish nationals who were deported to Warsaw and a further 16 Lithuanian citizens who were deported to Vilnius.Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that 20 had been in prison serving sentences ahead of the operation and 13 were detained in communities across Ireland prior to their removal.Lucy Michael is the owner of an Independent Research Firm on Human Rights, based in Dublin, and joins Ciara to discuss.

US President Donald Trump has announced he is sending his Border Czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis as anger continues to swell in the Minnesota city following the second fatal shooting by immigration officers this month. It’s as the area is still reeling from the death of Alex Pretti.Joining Ciara to discuss the latest is Ted Smyth, former Irish diplomat active in Irish-American organisations and resident in the US for many years and Anthony Zurcher, North American Correspondent with BBC News.

An Post has recently apologised to customers over the late arrival of some Christmas Cards, with some people receiving them in January. So, does this damage the magic of those handwritten cards, or do they still retain their purpose after the holiday?To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Irish Independent Journalist, Kirsty Blake Knox.

While the topic of incontinence may feel taboo, new research has found it is a widespread women’s health issue in Ireland, with 64% of Irish women having experienced incontinence at some point in their lives. So, why do so few seek help?Joining Ciara to discuss this is Dr. Breffini Anglim O’Regan, Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Urogynecology Subspecialist at The Coombe Hospital, and President of the Continence Foundation of Ireland and Lisa Watson, who is awaiting a surgery that is currently on pause in Ireland for incontinence.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed she “shouts at the bushes” to manage her anxiety, but are things like rage rooms or the classic screaming into a pillow an effective method of dealing with your mental health?Joining Ciara to discuss is Psychologist in The Matter Hospital and UCD, Patricia Casey.

Following the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch yesterday in Finglas after being struck by a scrambler is it time to finally look a greater restrictions around scramblers and e scooters?Joining Ciara to discuss is Keith Connolly, Fianna Fáil Cllr for Ballymun Finglas.

This week, Ciara Doherty was 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…