
The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack
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!
Latest episodes

Oct 18, 2024 • 42min
35. The Palestine Laboratory and Ethnic Cleansing via Algorithm
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Dr. Nour Naim holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence. In this episode of PalCast she talks about the use of AI techniques during the genocide in Gaza by Israel. Naim notes that what is lethally dangerous about Israel’s use of AI in Gaza which started in 2019, long before October 7th, and how AI has turned into a marketable killing machine, facilitated by humans with minimal efforts.
This includes the use of AI machines Lavender and Where’s Daddy based on algorithms fed by the Israeli military. Helena Cobban talks about the US letter that gave Israel 30 days to allow aid into Gaza otherwise the administration might (MIGHT) reconsider US arms to Israel, noting that this is all related to the US elections on November 5th. Tune in for more!
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 16, 2024 • 42min
1333. The First Ever A.I War and Digital Erasure
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In this very special podcast we are joined by Nadim Nashif, who is the director of https://7amleh.org/ and Taysir Mathlouthi, who is EU Advocacy Officer with 7amleh.
They describe the online human and digital rights battle for Palestinians in ways that we had never imagined. We delve into the fatally dangerous role that AI is playing in the war machine and how it’s killing by inputs now and could be much worse in the future.
Thank you to Uplift for their help in setting up this important conversation.
Donate to Rory's marathon:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 14, 2024 • 24min
1337. Brian Stanley’s Kangaroo Court
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We do weekly member-only podcasts where we talk openly about information we are privy to and some stories that often didn't get enough traction that stay forever behind the paywall. But given that Brian Stanley has resigned from Sinn Féin in controversial circumstances and that we have had dealings with him over the last few years, we've lifted the paywall on this episode. Kangaroo Court, Brian?
The Death in the Canaries Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-113558762

Oct 11, 2024 • 0sec
The Digital Safety Act – It’s Unworkable
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In his latest Gist:https://www.thegist.ie/the-gist-a-free-speech/ solicitor and Digital Rights Expert, Simon McGarr revealed his concerns about the new Online Safety Code and how it has by accident or design, created two seperate legal requirements to introduce age verification by designated platforms, and they don't both meet the tests set down for being compliant with EU law. If that all sounds a bit highbrow, don’t worry. Simon explains it all here and we think it is something that needs fixing ASAP.
Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 9, 2024 • 0sec
34. Gaza – One Year On
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It has been a year since October 7th. The world has changed, but the world of Palestinians has changed beyond imagination during this fateful year. Much of Gaza has been destroyed, 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, 10,000 others are still under the rubble of their homes. Their bodies unburied as a cruel reminder of the ongoing war on Gaza. In this episode, PalCast hosts speak of the difficulty of keeping sane during these challenging times. The war started in Gaza, but it has been expanding, reaching Lebanon and Yemen, and involving countries such as Iraq and Iran. The world will never be the same again.
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 8, 2024 • 44min
1334. The Planning Bill We’ll All Have to Pay For
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A previous guest, solicitor Fred Logue, referred to the new Planning Bill as the 'greatest act of self-harm the Irish state has ever imposed in itself'. Our guest today, Environmental Law expert and advocate, Attract Uí Bhroin thinks it is much worse than that.
This is a call to action to listeners. If this Bill passes as currently set, we'll all end up paying for it in terms of Access to Justice, Environmental protections wise and with our pockets.
Please let your TD know that this must be paused and properly scrutinised as a matter of urgency:https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/

Oct 7, 2024 • 46min
1322. Taxing Problems: Ireland Beyond Apple
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The only thing “historic” about the European Court of Justice’s Apple Tax ruling was how historically quickly the government and its allies in the media moved away from the illegal tax evasion and on to the “how will we spend it?” question.
Not so fast, boys. On this episode we talk with Economist and author of Tax Haven Ireland, Brian O’Boyle about how the deed was done, the steps Ireland has taken to make the immoral tax system seem at least somewhat less illegal these days and the reasons why the tax haven is actually bad for the quality of life for most people listening to this podcast.
Warning: may contain topics that expose the “it’s very complicated” narratives pushed elsewhere.
The Far Right Lies Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 3, 2024 • 34min
1330. The Tortoise Bike Shed Shack Budget Special
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Never was so much opportunity for so many squandered by so few.
Joining us on the podcast is Economist with NERI, Ciaran Nugent and we go deep into what was in #Budget25, asking was it enough to sway undecided voters, explaining the lack of vision given the amount of money at the Governments disposal and showing why, despite their fancy graphs, this is NOT a progressive budget. Ciaran also talks about what he thinks should or could have been done with that €10.3bn!
The full episode is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/113223241
Dignity for Palestine - Rory's Marathon Donate:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 2, 2024 • 0sec
33. The Israeli-American War Expands
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Ayah Arafat has been organizing for Palestine in the Washington DC Metropolitan area for over 7 years. She has been organizing with the Palestinian Youth Movement and Students for Justice in Palestine. She joins PalCast co-hosts to talk about how the organizing landscape works but also changes in the US in light of regional developments in the Middle East, the upcoming election and the disconnect between politics and the people. We also discuss the expansion of the war, the globalisation of protest and the need to not lose hope even in the face of so many daily tragedies. Tune in for the full episode.
The Budget 2025 Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/113223241
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Sep 30, 2024 • 19min
1329. Lebanon on the Edge
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With the death toll now over 1,100 is less tan two weeks and with almost 1,000,000 people displaced, not too mention the fears of the Israeli ground invasion, people in Lebanon are deeply concerned about the what is being called 'the Gaza-fication' of their country.
Rejoining us to talk about the situation is Beirut-based journalist with the Economist and regular tortoise shack contributor, Gareth Browne. He explains the factions, fears and the warnings from history that don't seem to have been heeded. Please make sure you listen to the end to hear Gareth's own feelings for Lebanon and it's people. I loved this chat.
Full episode here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-113057307
Rory's marathon for Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735