In The News

Health and family editor Damian Cullen had already ticked off a long list of diets before he hit on intermittent fasting and three years later, and 16kg lighter, he has stuck to the plan. He eats in an eight-hour window. At the more extreme end of intermittent fasting, British prime minister Rishi Sunak follows the so called “monk fast” of eating nothing for a 36-year period every week.As a way of losing weight, timed eating is probably the weight loss method of the moment; it follows a long list of diets, some of which became wildly popular for a time and then slid off the menu.Cullen explains how it works for him, while dietician Sarah Keogh gives the expert view. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Diarmuid Hayes send a strange tweet from his employer MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan's account, the resulting mockery caused huge damage to Flanagan's life and reputation. But why did Hayes do it? Naomi O'Leary and Jack Power report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week’s FAI’s appearance before the Public Accounts Committee did not go particularly well. Members of the committee expressed concern regarding the role of the chief executive after Jonathan Hill explained that an €11,500 payment in lieu of holidays not taken was just a “miscalculation”. His request for this payment at the end of an email was just a joke, he said. But many of the documents submitted to the committee were heavily redacted. Meanwhile, more than three months after Stephen Kenny stepped down, the FAI has yet to appoint a new manager to the men’s Irish football team. On today’s In the News podcast Irish Times sports writer Malachy Clerkin explores why the FAI seems unable to get its house in order. Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been another awful week for the national broadcaster. Last Friday, RTÉ board chairwoman Siún Ní Raghallaigh resigned after her position was undermined by Minister for Media Catherine Martin live on television.RTÉ's board reacted with anger following what is being viewed politically as the forced resignation Ms Ní Raghallaigh, which came amid a deepening row over big exit payouts for departing executives.Today, members of the Public Accounts Committee will meet to finalise a 70-page report on recent revelations around events in RTÉ. And this evening, Ms Martin is due to appear before the Oireachtas media committee to answer questions about her comments on RTÉ's Prime Time.But how did we reach this point and what does it mean for the efforts to fix the stricken broadcaster? Guest: Current Affairs Editor Arthur Beesley.Presented by Sorcha Pollak.Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years ago, what would become 105,000 Ukrainians began arriving in Ireland to seek refuge from the Russian invasion of their country.They were dispersed all around the State, including to Bundoran in Donegal, a seaside town and for generations a welcoming holiday destination.How have they adjusted to living so far from their war-torn homes? Sorcha Pollak travelled to Bundoran to talk to the new arrivals and locals about welcomes, integration and long-term plans.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renegade solicitor Michael Lynn stole €18 million from the banks at the height of the Celtic Tiger property boom. It took until this week for justice to be served, when Lynn was sentenced to 5½ years in prison.After the sentence was handed down, the prosecution dropped a bombshell – gardaí believe the fraudster may still control some of the stolen money and suspect him of attempting to launder it here in Ireland. An investigation is underway. Colm Keena was in court for the sentencing and he explains Lynn’s crime, how he evaded justice for so long and what will happen now. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades concerns were raised at Government level that the Russian Embassy in Dublin was an espionage hub, with the sheer scale of the Soviet diplomatic mission to the State prompting suspicions over spying.However, the war in Ukraine emboldened the Government to take action. Russian diplomats have been expelled, new visas refused and now the embassy’s staff in Dublin has been reduced from 30 to 15.This follows the refusal to grant Moscow permission to expand the Rathgar embassy on “national security” grounds.Crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher explains why the Government has at last taken action. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, a consignment of synthetic drugs, thought to be crystal meth worth €32.8 million, were seized in Cork Port. It is believed the shipment, which was destined for the Australian market, was owned by the Sinaloa cartel, Mexico’s deadliest drugs gang. Gardaí are now investigating whether a number of Irish men based in Cork and Kerry have been acting as agents for the cartel. So far, they have made two arrests. Irish Times Crime and Security editor Conor Lally reports. We also hear from Karol Suarez, a journalist based in Mexican City who explains how the Sinaloa cartel, often associated with the Netflix show Narcos, has become one of the most powerful and dangerous drug-trafficking gangs in the world.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday, An Bord Pleanála met for its first hearing in 15 years into Dublin’s planned underground rail line. The €9.5 billion MetroLink, as it is now known, has been put on hold numerous times since it was first announced as the Metro West plan in 2005.The proposed underground line would run from north of Swords to Dublin Airport, then on to Ballymun, Glasnevin, O’Connell Street and St Stephen’s Green before terminating at Charlemont Street, with 16 stations in all.Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said he believes the long-awaited MetroLink will be granted planning permission before the end of this year and that construction will be completed by the early 2030s.Many Dubliners are worried about how the construction of this line, particularly close to the city centre, will disrupt their homes and livelihoods.However, as one of the only major cities in Europe without an underground transport system, Metrolink could be transformative for Dublin city and its residents in the long term, says Irish Times Dublin editor Olivia Kelly, who joins today’s episode of In the News.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previously on In the News, Irish Times Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary explained how Dublin-based landlord Marc Godart deployed CCTV to monitor tenants in their homes, faced accusations of unlawful eviction and failed to pay compensation to former tenants as ordered by the Residential Tenancies Board.On today’s episode Naomi shares a new cache of audio files and documents that show how Luxembourger Godart treats his employees, including summary dismissal and fines for minor infractions.The documents also reveal attempts to establish new companies under the identities of people unconnected with Godart and his family to avoid public scrutiny of his property operations, and the offering of payment to workers to find people willing to allow the use of their identity to set up an Airbnb account.Also on the podcast: Those working for Godart are hired as independent contractors, and their contracts stipulate that Luxembourg law applies to their relationship with Godart’s companies.But as Claire Bruton, a barrister specialising in employment law, explains, the law is not on Godart’s side when it comes to these arrangements.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.