
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

Sep 11, 2024 • 39min
1315. The Apple Tax – What it Really Means
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Shortly after the European Court of Justice ruled that the Irish State had given illegal state aid to Appple, via what was a sweetheart tax evasion scheme, we spoke with one of the people who has being covering this and studying tax, tax justice, corporate power and its impact on democracy, UCD's Assoc Prof Aidan Reagan.
So now we know, Ireland is legally adjudged to be a tax haven. What happens now and who will be held accountable? We get into it.
Note: This podcast is going out now as it was a member-only podcast, but so many members asked us to put it out as they wanted it to get as big an audience as possible.
The Eoin Ó Broin Housing Plan Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/111406218
The Gaza Appeal is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/103882396

Sep 6, 2024 • 36min
1310. Israeli Weapons in Irish Airspace with The Ditch
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Editors note: Tony misquotes
In this tortoise shack exclusive, Roman Shortall and Eoghan McNeill of The Ditch rejoin us to discuss what has been revealed by their reporting into the transfer of US weapons to Israel through Irish Airspace. We discuss the mainstream reaction and how the framing has been unhelpful in informing the public on the reality of the situation. They also reveal the shocking numbers of exemptions coming from the desk of Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan. Don't miss it.
The Sinn Féin Home of You Own Plan Podcast you need to hear is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/111406218
The Gaza Appeal details:https://www.patreon.com/posts/108592125

Sep 4, 2024 • 56min
29. From Heaven to Hell: Seven Months in Gaza
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Dr. Mohammed H. Alaqad is a distinguished academic from Gaza, now based in Malaysia. In the Autumn of 2023 he went to visit home after 14 years of being away. Having received a red carpet reception by family and friends, he wanted most for his wife and kids to meet his extended family, including his mother who had only recently being diagnosed with cancer. A few days later on October 7, his kids woke up the sound of rockets and a war that still rages.
He shares his story of living seven months during the genocide in Gaza, including the story of how his disabled brother was killed; of whom they only recovered his head after an Israeli drone targeted him with 2 missiles.
This is a powerful, sometimes uplifting, but more often heartbreaking story. Above all it is a story everyone should listen to.
The Gaza Appeal details are here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/108592125
The Ditch on Israeli weapons in Irish Airspace Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/47414904

Sep 3, 2024 • 18min
1308. Postmasters Sold Out?
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A Radol is a Ridiculous Argument Devoid Of Logic. Bear that in mind as you listen.
In this short podcast Martin reveal the "legal opinion" sent to Irish Postmasters by their Union that contradicts previous Judgements like Denny and Karshan and flies in the face of an ongoing Postmaster High Court Case where employment status is on the table. Why?
The Ditch on Israeli weapons in Irish Airspace: https://www.patreon.com/posts/47414904
The Workers Rights Live @ the Sugar Club:https://www.patreon.com/posts/111268040

Aug 30, 2024 • 35min
1309. ‘The Gig Economy Is a Lie’ – A Game Changing Win for Workers
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You might have seen the headlines across Irish media about the blow struck to the Gig Economy and bogus self employment by musician and workers rights activist, Matt McGranaghan. But only here will you hear from Matt himself. This is a huge result that will help thousands of workers currently misclassified and therefore denied their rights as employees. Well done Matt and Martin. Up the Workers!
Tickets for Sunday:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-tortoise-shack-tells-an-echo-chamber-exclusive-tickets-1002392050607?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&_gl=1*1f8z42w*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjYyMzc5OTcyLjE3MjQ4MjU4NjI.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTcyNDgyNTg2Mi4xLjAuMTcyNDgyNTg2Mi4wLjAuMA..

Aug 28, 2024 • 40min
28. Gaza – Paralysed By Fear
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Anas Abu Samhan is a Palestinian writer and translator with a deep focus on the decolonization of mind and language, as well as decolonial epistemology. Anas talks about language, literature and translation during genocide and he narrates how his family was displaced multiple times and lost all their homes. In between, Anas brings in the memory of Refaat Alareer, his late lecturer from Gaza. Helena Cobban touches on regional developments, the Hezbollah-Iran Israel tensions and the possibility of a regionals war breaking out. Tune in for more.
Tickets for the Live Show are here:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-tortoise-shack-tells-an-echo-chamber-exclusive-tickets-1002392050607?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&_gl=1*1f8z42w*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjYyMzc5OTcyLjE3MjQ4MjU4NjI.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTcyNDgyNTg2Mi4xLjAuMTcyNDgyNTg2Mi4wLjAuMA..

Aug 27, 2024 • 37min
1305. The SpyCops Scandal – Police Preying on the Vulnerable
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As promised we are rejoined by the best person on the planet currently covering the decades old SpyCops Units, who have done some deplorable things to people in predominantly left wing movements in order to maintain some false sense of State order and power.
You all need to listen to this and check out Tom on twitter @tombfowler
Limited Tickets for the Live Show are available now here:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-tortoise-shack-tells-an-echo-chamber-exclusive-tickets-1002392050607?aff=oddtdtcreator

Aug 24, 2024 • 39min
1306. Delay, Deny and Wait For Me to Die with Noelle Brown
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In this Echo Chamber Pod we are rejoined by writer, actor and activist, Noelle Brown to discuss the Mother and Baby Home Redress Scheme that has effectively excluded 40% of the people impacted by the National Scandal, while also seemingly indemnifying the Catholic church.
Noelle talks the politics of injustice, the State working against her and her fellow survivors and the sense that this is penny-pinching cruelty.
Trauma informed solidarity Podcast out here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-110652055
Gaza Appeal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/look-what-you-us-109090405

Aug 21, 2024 • 37min
27. My Children Draw Pictures of a Home That No Longer Exists
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Ibrahim Alsemeiri is a PhD Candidate at the University of Utarah in Malaysia. Being from and living in Gaza, with four children, he has been displaced 5 times since October 7th. He lost his home and as you'll hear, is doing his best to comfort his children.
He joins the PalCast co-hosts, yousef, Helena and Tony to talk about the daily struggles in Gaza and an academic initiative he started along with other colleagues to help Gaza rebuild. Helena Cobban shares her pessimistic insights from the US about the DNC and the US political system this week.
Gaza appeal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/look-what-you-us-109090405

Aug 17, 2024 • 18min
1303. Beyond Electric Picnic and Other Stories
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this peek-behind-the-paywall Echo Chamber special, Martin and Tony talk the news of the week and things get a bit heated. Which is a good thing. We cover Trump, RTE, transphobic journalists, Coolock Says No to Ireland and the awful behaviour of legacy media in both race-baiting and our politics.
CW: contains traces of Irish Times FG hagiography.
Gaza Appeal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/look-what-you-us-109090405