In The News

If you spent far too much time this year watching Robbie Williams sitting on a bed in his underpants unpicking his life, or tried to do the Beckham’s loved-up dance in the kitchen, you’re not alone: celebrity documentaries made big news this year with Netflix leading the way. They included Pamela, a Love Story (Anderson), Arnold (Schwarzenegger), and Sly (Stallone) all on Netlix as well as documentaries on other streamers such as the Michael J Fox film, Still, on Apple TV+. But as they are made in co-operation with their starry subjects, are these films worthwhile looks behind the scenes or simply PR-driven vehicles? Patrick Freyne who writes a weekly Irish Times column on TV gives his take. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week Liam Byrne, the alleged leader of the Kinahan cartel’s Irish operations, was extradited from Spain to the UK to stand trial and face charges related to the alleged supply of firearms to other crime gangs.The 43-year-old, who was arrested while eating in a restaurant with his family in Mallorca in early June, had been living openly in Dubai for a couple of years before travelling to Europe for a holiday. Britain’s gun-related allegations are the first gangland charges Byrne has faced after a 20-year run that saw him rise to the top of Ireland’s drugs trade.If he is charged, what sentence could he face? What does Byrne’s extradition tell us about the state of play in Ireland’s fight against organised crime? And, will other members of the Kinahan gang be next?On today’s podcast, Irish Times security and crime editor Conor Lally reflects on the life of Liam Byrne and what lies ahead for organised crime in this country.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday night, a fire destroyed most of a disused hotel in Co Galway that was set to begin housing up to 70 asylum seekers from Thursday, December 21st.Minister for Integration, Roderic O’Gorman said the blaze, which gardaí believe was started deliberately, was a “deeply sinister” act designed to intimidate international protection applicants.The fire at Ross Lake House hotel in Rosscahill, a remote area between Moycullen and Oughterard, is the latest in a growing list of incidents where buildings – particularly hotels – set aside to house asylum seekers, have been vandalised.Presented by Sorcha Pollak with guests Crime and Security Correspondent, Conor Gallager, and Polical Correspondent, Cormac McQuinn.Produced by John Casey and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday, May 27th 2023 champion cyclist Gabriele Glodenyte was out on her bike for a morning spin in north county Dublin with her boyfriend Seán Landers.Gabriele was 24 years-old, a vibrant young woman who shone at everything she did.But what started as a typical, carefree day for Gabby and Seán ended in tragedy.Gabriele was killed instantly when an oncoming driver crashed his car.Seán (25) came upon the scene moments later. He recalls finding first her mangled bicycle on the road and then her fatally injured body.As the terrible shock has given way to deep grief, Seán wants to tell the story of that dreadful day in hopes, he says, that motorists will realise just how vulnerable cyclists are.In his 10 years’ cycling, he says it has become increasingly dangerous for cyclists with drivers behaving more aggressively.More than 1,600 cyclists have suffered serious crash injuries on Irish roads over the last seven years.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As lead negotiator on climate finance for the EU at Cop28, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan was at the table in Dubai when the final agreement was written. The agreement “calls on parties to contribute to transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems”, a historic, if belated, first explicit reference to leaving fossil fuels behind in a Cop text. Critics such as former president Mary Robinson were quick to point out that “transitioning away” is weaker than the alternative “phased out”. Mr Ryan says the difference is minor. “Our advisors, legal advisors and others said it was equally strong, and sufficiently strong, compared to phasing out,” he says, arguing the Cop28 agreement, while imperfect, represents an important step-change. He talks to Bernice Harrison about the rejection of the first draft, how consensus was reached (”fossil fuel lobbyists did not want this text. They fought against it tooth and nail”) and the loopholes that allow continued expansion of fossil fuel production - and defends Ireland’s own record on climate action. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last month, new figures revealed more than 800 primary school teaching posts across the country were lying empty, with the problem most acute in the Greater Dublin Area. Nearly 90 per cent of Irish schools say they’re experiencing recruitment issues, while many secondary schools have warned they’re being forced to drop or limit access to key subjects such as maths, Irish, biology, home economics, woodwork/construction studies and chemistry.So, where are all our teachers gone and what can be done to attract people back into the profession? And what does this shortage say about how a career in teaching is perceived these days? Irish Times education editor Carl O’Brien discusses the ongoing teacher shortage and measures being taking to tackle this problem.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Israeli Defence Forces deny targeting civilians in Gaza and insist they take all practical measures to protect non-combatants in a war where their enemy, Hamas, hides among the civilian population. But Israeli intelligence sources told journalist Yuval Abraham that the tactics now being used in Gaza are much looser than they were in previous conflicts and are contributing to a huge number of civilian deaths, often in inexplicable circumstances. Yuval talks to Sorcha Pollak about how concepts like "power targets" and AI technology are defining the war in Gaza and increasing the danger for civilians.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent closure order issued by the County Council to a registered puppy farm in north Cork saw veterinary inspectors seize dogs worth over €80,000 from the premises. Dog breeding is big business in Ireland.And while the majority of dog breeding establishments here are legitimate enterprises, the sheer demand for puppies means standards can vary hugely from one business to the next. Conor Dowling is today’s guest on In the News, and he is the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector at the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA). He has seen the absolute worse effects of puppy farming and feels that the current rules around mass dog breeding here have led to a ‘confused picture’ and would like to see ‘a total revamp of the legislation that’s currently in place’.  Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish billionaire John Magnier has been steadily accumulating huge tracts of land in south Tipperary. He's entitled to do so. But local farmers say they are being priced out of buying the land they desperately need to stay afloat in a difficult business environment. Ronan McGreevy reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Boris Johnson appeared in front of Britain’s Covid inquiry for the first time. In its six months, the inquiry has already heard damning evidence about the chaos in Downing Street and specifically Johnson’s failure to understand the enormity of the crisis. Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul was in the room with the former prime minister, as he faced tough questions on Partygate, missing WhatsApp messages and his decision to 'let Covid rip'. Presented by Bernice Harrison, produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.