

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack
Tortoise Shack Media
Ireland’s original independent left leaning news, politics, and culture podcast that doesn’t take itself too seriously and still punches well above its weight. Join critically acclaimed & derided hosts, Martin McMahon and Tony Groves as they delve into the news of the day, pull apart the spin and challenge you to be an activist. This is the non-corporate, ad free, non-plastic-podcast reality that the medium is made for. There will be shenanigans!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 20, 2024 • 21min
1385. Left Unity in 2025?
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I won't lie, I wanted to see PBP Cllr Conor Reddy get into the Dáil. But that's the democratic process and his (and my) disappointment is, as Conor outlines, a waste of time when the work on the ground continues. We look at the opportunity of real Left Unity in the next Dáil and in street-led activism and we also discuss his important scientific work with Inclusion Services and his PhD which first brought him to my attention. You don't need a Dáil seat to make a difference.
The Wrap of 2024 Specials are available now at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/please-support-117612489

Dec 17, 2024 • 56min
1386. Imprisonment as a Last Resort
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Human Rights Lawyer, Saoirse Brady is the Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (https://iprt.ie) and she kindly sat down with us in the tortoise shack to talk about our prison system, restorative justice, community sanctions, ending secondary punishments and much more.
We really got a lot out of this podcast. Please give it a listen.
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/117612489

Dec 13, 2024 • 39min
1388. Inside Syria – Hope and Despair
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In this must hear podcast journalist and tortoise shack regular Gareth Browne joined us from Syria to describe what he has witnessed since being one of the first western journalists to enter Damascus as the Assad regime was collapsing.
This podcast includes descriptions that some listeners may find disturbing. But, and it is a big but, I think it’s ultimately a hopeful conversation. We all wish for better for the Syrian people into 2025.
Martin vs RTE at the WRC podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-117844335
Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/please-support-117612489

Dec 12, 2024 • 37min
1382. The Hard Work Has Started with Sinn Féin’s Mairéad Farrell
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In this post GE2024 podcast we are joined by Sinn Féin poll topper and maybe short-lived head of the Public Accounts Committee, Mairéad Farrell, to discuss her party's disappointment and or satisfaction with the general election results, her term as a first time TD, working hard for her constituency, the need for better domestic violence supports, the chances of a female led broad left opposition and plenty more.
Gareth Browne and Will Holden on Syria podcasts are available now at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/please-support-117612489

Dec 10, 2024 • 30min
1381. Gary Gannon on the Next Dáil
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In this Post-General Election 2024 Podcast we talk with newly re-elected Soc Dem TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon. He talks about the mistakes he made in his first term, the need to stay grounded in the area he represents and what he thinks both the next Government and Opposition will look like. He also addresses the 'Monk' podcast love-in and the furore around Owen Hayes and his former job with software company Palantir.
The Conor Reddy and Mairéad Farrell podcasts are out now at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/please-support-117612489

Dec 9, 2024 • 40min
1377. A Game Changing Freedom of Information Win
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Note: this was recorded a few days ago, but we didn't want it to get lost in the GE2024 news cycle.
In this podcast we are joined by freelance freedom of information journalist and one of the driving forces behind righttoknow.ie, Ken Foxe (yes, bike shed Ken) and managing partner at FP Logue Solicitors and tortoise shack regular Dr Fred Logue, to discuss a very important ruling on a case they fought that has significant implications for FOI.
This might seem a bit nerdy, but this is the stuff that helps us see what is happening away from the Dáil plinth and inside the offices charged with delivering for the citizenry.
The Mairéad Farrell and Gary Gannon post election podcasts are avilable at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Please support Dignity for Palestine, details are here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/please-support-117612489

Dec 6, 2024 • 0sec
1380. Paul Lazarus Murphy on the Next Dáil and GE2024
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In this extended GE 2024 election results and outcomes podcast we are joined by recently re-elected PBP TD, Paul Murphy for a chat about his last few years in the politics, the campaign in 2024, the positives we could see in a genuine Left vs Right polarised Dáil and the effective and practical ways which Left can unite going forward, while still not agreeing (and not having to agree) on everything.
For the Mairéad Farrell and Gary Gannon New Dáil podcasts please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Dec 5, 2024 • 41min
41. Gaza Latest and Remembering Refaat
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The situation in Gaza is getting worse. Three women were crushed to death by men who lined up to get aid in Central Gaza. Israel continues to expand the Netzarim Corridor and attack family homes full of displaced people. More people are getting hungrier each day. At this year’s conference on Palestine Studies at Universiti Malaya, Palestinian scholars and activists spoke of their vision for Gaza and told their personal stories of loss. More plans to preserve Refaat Alareer’s legacy in Malaysia, tune in for more details.
Remembering Refaat registration:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_itlESZDCSymnWfBuE7kqUA#/registration

Dec 3, 2024 • 35min
1364. America: From Exceptionalism to Isolationism
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In the last few weeks of the US presidential campaign tortoise shack regular and Latin American journalist with El Pais, Nicholas Dale Leal spent time in Miami, Georgia and right along the border in Texas. He joins us now to discuss what he saw and how it felt as a Colombian citizen who lives in Mexico to see the way things are and have shifted in the US of A. An eye-opening conversation.
The latest Govt formation and Opposition Options podcast is available now at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Dec 1, 2024 • 24min
1376. The BIG Election Reaction Podcast
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In this GE2024 podcast we talk results, our predictions, Fianna Fáil's impending Fine Gael identity crisis, Sinn Féin's need to work outside the box, the far right flop, how the Soc Dems could lose by winning big and lots, lots more.
For all our GE Coverage please go to patreon.com/tortoiseshack