The Hard Shoulder

RTÉ has said it was "a mistake" that a Palestinian flag necklace was edited out of a recent episode of the property programme, ‘Cheap Irish Homes’, after the woman wearing the necklace lodged a complaint. Should we be allowed to wear what we choose, and make political statements with the clothes we wear whatever the setting? On TV, at the school gates or in workplaces? Where do you draw the line?...

The joint funeral of four members of the same family has taken place this afternoon in Waterford. Philip English, his wife Kim and their two young sons, Callum and Jayden, were killed in a suspected arson attack last week. Newstalk’s Chief Reporter was at the funeral, and joined Shane to discuss.

Whether it's a speed clean before an unannounced guest drops by, or it's using a free half an hour while your child is having a nap to get some order in your home, speed cleaning is something we are all familiar with. But is there a way to rescue a messy house in under 30 minutes? Joining Shane with the answer is cleaning expert and TikToker, Ann Russell!

Solicitors working in criminal defence have said they are withdrawing from all work from today, marking an escalation of their dispute with the Justice Minister over a new payment scheme for criminal legal aid. One of those solicitors is Michael O’Connor, and he joins Shane to discuss…

Public sector unions have suspended strikes planned for next Wednesday following discussions with the Government. Pat Leahy, Political Editor of the Irish Times and John Boyle, General Secretary of the INTO joined Shane on the show to discuss.

How do you manage difficult relationships with in-laws without affecting your children or putting pressure on your marriage? Michelle Brown, Divorce Consultant, Mediator and author of “Scars of Divorce joined us on the hard Shoulder to discuss.

Larry Donnelly, Law lecturer at University of Galway and Columnist with the Journal joined Shane on the show to discuss some notable moments in recent times from behind the White House lectern.

European leaders face growing pressure to secure Ukraine’s wartime finances through to the end of 2028. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that decisions will need to be made quickly, as efforts continue to repair Kyiv’s strained relationship with the Trump administration. Europe correspondent at Euronews, Shona Murray spoke to Ciara on the show.

The rise of the ‘indie dad’, is this a good or bad thing and does anyone care?! Comedian Steve Cummins and Entertainment Journalist Dee Reddy joined Shane on the show to discuss.

The proportion of migrants living in more affluent areas of the State is higher than those who live in disadvantaged areas, according to research by the Economic and Social Research Institute. Teresa Buczkowska, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland joined Ciara on the show to discuss.

As road deaths rise, the Government dropped planned reforms of the RSA and increased public transport fares and now the minister seems to be disavowing political responsibility, writes Ciarán Cannon in the Irish Examiner who joined Shane on the show to discuss.

Families and workplaces are being urged to switch off all smart devices from 7pm today and take a 24-hour break from the online world. It is part of CyberBreak 2026, an initiative supported by the HSE.  Family Psychotherapist, columnist with the Examiner and Co-host of ‘They Mess You Up With’ Podcast Richard Hogan joined us on the Hard Shoulder this evening.

Minister James Lawless announced this morning Ireland's first university-owned AI Institute. The Institute will put AI engineers alongside researchers to advance the use of AI across health, agriculture, climate, humanities and the sciences. Professor Robin Burke, incoming director of the UCD AI Institute joined Shane on the show to discuss.

The White House is defending its new press secretary, Katie Zacharia as questions emerge over her legal credentials as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he feels personally betrayed by Donald Trump. BBC North American Correspondent, Anothony Zurcher joined us on the Hard Shoulder with all the latest from the States.

Scans can reveal a lot about your spine, but they don’t always explain the cause of your pain. Stephen O’Rourke, Chartered Clinical Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at the Mater University Hospital joined us on the Hard Shoulder to discuss.

EU’s top court, the ECJ has upheld the Dublin Airport passenger cap, meaning regulators must take the 32 million a year limit into account when allocating airline slots. Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel & Airport safety & security expert spoke to Ciara on the show this evening.

Earlier today, an Oireachtas Committee heard pandemic remains the top risk to National Security, with antibiotic-resistant infection, cyber-attacks and disruption to critical supply chains also included. Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway Walsh who is chair of the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security joined Shane on the show discuss.

Has the humble carvery become the hottest trend in Gen Z dining? Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden reports.

 The Government is seeking to get public sector unions back around the table to avoid a second day of strikes next week. It follows yesterday’s nationwide walkout by around 300,000 workers over pay.  Louise Byrne, Irish Examiner Political Correspondent joined us on the show to discuss.

Arrests have been made in the arson attack in Waterford City that took the lives of four members of the English family on Wednesday. Barry Whyte, Newstalk’s Chief Reporter brought us the latest on the investigation.

Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan brought us the latest as Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape and child sex assaults.

Shane was joined on the show by Dublin Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin who has launched a campaign today urging the EU to end its preferential trade agreement with Israel. The campaign calls for the EU-Israel Association Agreement to be scrapped. 

A new report surveying 330 students across 12 higher education institutions in Ireland has found that controlling behaviours are becoming normalised in student relationships.    Joining Ciara on the show to discuss was Clinical Psychotherapist, Stephanie Regan. 

Russia has launched another major attack on Ukraine, with civilians killed and around 600,000 people left without electricity. At least six people have been killed with strikes hitting Kyiv and Kharkiv.   For the very latest Ciara was joined on the show by Emanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent for France 24 to discuss.

How does music positively impact people in difficult times such as dealing with bereavement, chronic pain, or comforting a loved one with dementia?   Dr Shane Cassidy, founder of Neurolinks and music therapist joined Shane on the show to discuss.