Behind the Story

Jessie Buckley made history by becoming the first Irish woman to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Success too for Dubliner Richie Baneham who won his third Oscar for his work on Avatar. Evelyn O'Rourke tells Fran all about the night, the reaction to the wins but also how the night unravelled for Timothée Chalamet.  Later, Fran is joined by Washington Correspondent, Jackie Fox, as she l...

Earlier this week, a documentary by Louis Theroux landed on Netflix. Fran is joined by Professor Debbie Ging of DCU to discuss the growth of the manosphere and how misogynist behaviour and beliefs are spreading. Debbie also talks about what's happening in this country and points to some positive male influencers who are challenging the manosphere.  Later, Fran is joined by Evelyn O'Rourke, ar...

New figures released today show that used EVs are priced 11% below comparable diesel vehicles. After a fall in the value of electric cars, the market appears to have stabilised, which is attracting buyers back to considering an EV purchase. Fran and Paul are joined by Geraldine Herbert to discuss what's happened and how higher range vehicles are becoming more affordable.  Fran and Paul also d...

Oil prices surged today to their highest levels since 2022. Stocks fell as the fallout from the Iran conflict continues to hit the economy and your pocket! Economics Editor David Murphy joins Fran to explain what's happening on the markets and why the price of petrol and home heating oil is rising so fast.  Later Fran talks to Middle East expert Christian Henderson about food supplies in the...

Leitrim man Liam Farrell's death in 2020 was in suspicious circumstances. His family received news on Thursday that the Minister for Justice has authorised the exhumation of the body.  The Garda Serious Crime Review Team are continuing to investigate the case. Liam's son, Brendan Farrell joins Fran to discuss how the family hope they will get answers to what happened to their Dad.  Later...

"The family circus has to end' says Justice Brian Cregan who, today, ordered that Enoch Burke's mother and sister be sent to jail for two weeks for contempt of court. Legal Affairs correspondant Orla O'Donnell joins Paul and Fran to discuss the latest twist in the Burke family's ongoing disruption of court proceedings.  Later, Security and Warfare expert, Patrick Bury of University of Bath sh...

In 2013, the Gardaí, with permission from the courts, released a picture of an unidentified girl to try and find out who she was. Within hours, they had a name: Samantha Azzopardi, an Australian serial fraudster. Azzopardi was deported and subsequently jailed but it now appears she's back to her old habits!!  You can listen to the Finding Samantha podcast here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcas...

As the US-Iran conflict escalates, oil prices have begun to rise, so what impact could the crisis have on prices here? Adam Maguire of the RTÉ Business desk joins Fran and Maggie to explain why the Straits of Hormuz is so important and how shipping is already re-routing away from the region.  Later, Professor John O'Brennan of Maynooth University discusses the EU response, the potential to ge...

The US and Israel have commenced 'major combat operations' against Iran. Iran has responded by hitting sites in several Gulf States including Israel. Fran and Paul are joined by Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East Editor with the Economist and by Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director with the International Crisis Group to discuss the situation and to explore the possible outcome of US action and the increased...

Larry Goodman is one of Ireland's richest men, with a business empire that stretches from beef to healthcare and property. A new two part TV documentary 'Goodman - Too Big to Fail' looks at how his business collapsed two governments and brought in the era of tribunals. Ella McSweeney and Ciarán Cassidy share insights from the documentary.  Later, Arts and Media correspondant, Evelyn O'Rourke...

The government published the country's first maritime strategy today, but what's in it? and do we have the money to pay for it? Former Army Ranger and TD, Dr Cathal Berry joins Fran and Paul to tease out the plan.  Later, RTÉ's Brian O'Donovan discusses the possibility that Stripe - the payment firm may buy PayPal, which would be a significant move for the Collison Brothers from Limerick, who...

As the 4th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, Professor Donnacha Ó' Beacháin joins Fran and Laura to discuss the situation now. A planned European Union loan of €90bn for Ukraine has been blocked by Hungary so what needs to happen to support the country in the future?  Later, Fran takes a look at a special project at the University of Limerick where Irish, Ukrainian and E...

Following the arrest and release of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor by Thames Police, the story continues to dominate world headlines. Historian and author of 'Entitled', Andrew Lownie joins Fran and Maggie to discuss the unprecedented nature of the arrest and his research into the former Prince's activities as a trade envoy.  Fran and Maggie also reveal the story behind the photo that was taken o...

Richard Browne, the Director of the National Cyber Security Centre joined Fran and Paul for a deep dive into the cyber risks facing the country. AI is acclerating the number of attacks globally and even the National Cyber Risk Assessment document, published in December is already out of date in parts.  Richard explains the type of threats that are evolving and how some nation states are activ...

"I have a lift, bye'... the last words of Jo Jo Dullard in 1995 before she went missing. Gardaí declared her case a murder investigation in 2020. Deirdre Jacob went missing in 1998, her case was upgraded to a murder enquiry in 2018. Today, a new search began in a quarry in Co Wicklow, it is the first time both cases have been linked by the authorities. Crime journalist and author Barry Cummins joi...

An agreement between the OPW and a charity to build a National Children's Science Centre has run aground. The OPW says it doesn't have the money and no government department wants to take responsability for it however it was revealed on Thursday that the building MUST be delivered by 2029. So what is going on? Public Affairs Correspondant with the Irish Times, Martin Wall joins Fran and and Laura...

Irish man Seamus Culleton who is detained by ICE in a facility in Texas went public with his story yesterday and appealed to politicians to help get him released. But would diplomacy help or hinder the situation? Former Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall joins Fran and Paul to discuss what could be done.  The duo also explain the latest developments in the review into children's spinal s...

House buyers who bid on properties in open or online auctions are pushing prices up more than they can afford. Bidders in sealed auctions pay less and don't go beyond their budget. A new report by ESRI examines the behaviour of bidders in different house buying systems. Professor Pete Lunn joins Fran and Maggie to explain the research and the psychology at play when someone is bidding on a propert...

As the Winter Olympics gets underway in Italy, RTE Sport's Eamon Horan joins Fran and Laura to discuss the Irish hopefuls at the games and the controversy around penis injections in ski jumping!  Later, Assistant Lecturer in Global Business at TUD, Richard Woodward, discusses the ongoing ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sporting competitions. FIFA and the IOC signalle...

A new survey from the University of Limerick Student Union found 60% of commuter students travelled more than one hour each way to campus during the last academic year. Commuting is having a substantial impact on students’ academic performance, financial security and wellbeing. Dervla Ryan, Diversity & Inclusion Officer at UL Students’ Union, discusses the survey – and what needs to be done to...

A bitter row has broken out over the last week between farmer organisations and the Chair of Bord Bia, but what's it all about? Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent Aengus Cox joins Fran to explain what's going on and why he believes both sides have become entrenched in their positions.  Later, Editor of Travel Extra, Eoghan Corry discusses the proposed changes to the ESTA visa waiv...

The Slaney and Dodder rivers burst their banks and flooded surrounding areas following subtantial rainfall over the past few days. And while the clean up has begun, more rain in expected over the next 24 hours. Could the flooding have been predicted? and are there nature based solutions that could help prevent floods.  Professor of Geography at TCD, Mary Bourke joins Fran and Karen to explain...

Officials in US President Donald Trump's administration continue to defend the fatal shooting on Saturday of a man by immigration agents in Minneapolis, even as video evidence contradicts their version of events. Alex Pretti, who worked as an intensive care nurse, is the second US citizen to be fatally shot by ICE this month in Minneapolis. Niall Stanage, White House columnist with The Hill, joins...

As the man who murdered Dublin woman Marilyn Rynn in December 1995 is released from prison, author and crime journalist Barry Cummins details the investigation into her murder and the role DNA played in helping Gardaí identify David Lawler as her killer. Barry's been chatting to Fran and Karen about the case that gripped the country in the early days of 1996. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

As President Trump continues to make demands, newly minted Washington Correspondent, Jackie Fox joins Fran and Fiona to discuss the US President's extraordinary speech at Davos this afternoon.  Later, the duo are joined by business correspondent Fergal O'Brien who sat in on the Ryanair press conference today. Michael O'Leary took aim at the world's richest man, Elon Musk [again] as he launche...