Behind the Story

The producers of The Traitors Ireland join David, Katie and Fran for a deep dive behind the scenes of the hit TV show. Last night's finale clocked up over 730,000 viewers, representing 57% of the audience.  Darren Smith and Mairead Whelan of Kite Entertainment, reveal how they cast the show and how they don't interfere with the game once it starts. Mairead shares some of her favourite moments...

MAHA or Make America Healthy Again has grown in influence since Robert Kennedy Jnr became US Health Secretary. But what is the movement? Alex Stockton of the New York Times Opinion has looked the people and organisations who are involved in MAHA, and the wellness industry. He reveals how people can be drawn into conspiracy theories around medicine.  David, Fran and Katie talk to Alex about hi...

As the backlash to the suspension of US chat host Jimmy Kimmel grows, Trump's attack on the media is escalating with threats to revoke broadcast licenses.  David and Katie discuss 'cancel' culture v 'consequence' culture and what this means for freedom of speech.  Later, Prime Time reporter Kate McDonald joined the duo to discuss how phone data is being sold and what the implications mig...

New figures released today show house prices are still increasing across the country but at a slightly lower rate. While at the same time, the number of houses being built is falling due to several factors.  David, Katie and Fran are joined by UCD Assistant Professor of Architecture, Orla Hegarty to discuss housing supply and construction. Orla believes setting targets around the number of pe...

Fran, Katie and David hit the road to Tullamore for the first day of the Ploughing. Joining them to discuss all matters farm related are Agriculture Correspondent Aengus Cox and Deputy Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, Caitriona Morrissey. Wellies, succession and Farm Tok chat with creators, Fin Walsh and Katie Larkin were just some of the topics discussed inside the big tent in Screggan! ...

On Saturday, up to 150,000 people took to the streets of London to join a rally organised by far right activist Tommy Robinson. The size of the crowd took the authorities by surprise. David, Kate and Fran are joined by Professor Jon Tonge to discuss the increase in support for anti immigration protests. They also discuss support for Reform on the day a significant Tory MP defected to Nigel Farage'...

The murder of political activist, Charlie Kirk shocked America but in the past twenty four hours, there have been some astonishing developments; the suspect was turned into authorities by a family member and the FBI revealed what was inscribed on the bullet casings.  David, Katie and Fran discuss the FBI press conference and what is known about the suspect, Tyler Robinson. The trio examine re...

As Poland and NATO scramble fighter jets to intercept Russian drones in Polish airspace, the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk says his country is the closest to open conflict since World War II.  David, Katie and Fran are joined by Associate Professor of Warfare and Counter Terrorism, Patrick Bury to discuss this 'unprecedented' violation of Poland's airspace. Patrick suggests that the p...

As the Gardaí continue to investigate bomb threats to Tánaiste Simon Harris' home, David and Katie discuss the increasing number of threats against him and other politicians.  Later, Emmanuelle Schon Quinlivan of UCC explains what is happening in France as the country looks set to lose another Prime Minister, this time, in a confidence vote, that the Prime Minister called on himself! Emmanuel...

As the search continues for a young boy, presumed dead, Social Affairs correspondent Ailbhe Conneely joins Katie and David to discuss the disturbing case. Ailbhe shares her insights from covering the story during the week and her previous coverage of the case of Kyran Durnin, another boy, missing presumed dead by the authorities.  Ailbhe outlines details from both cases, and while the cases a...

Writer Lisa Tierney-Keogh along with other endometriosis sufferers met the Minister for Health earlier this week to highlight the lack of treatment for women affected with the condition. Lisa,  who had to travel to the US for surgery shares her story and the struggle she and others are having trying to get medical care.  Lisa tells Katie and Fran that the pain she endured over the years,...

The national flag is showing up on lamp posts across Dublin and concerns are rising that the tricolour is being hijacked by anti immigrant groups. David and Katie discuss this and take a look at the Traitors TV show that launched on Sunday.  Later, the duo are joined by Malachy Clerkin, sports writer with the Irish Times, who reveals what he thinks makes Fianna Fail Presidential candidate hop...

As thousands of music fans descend on Stradbally for Electric Picnic, business reporter Adam Maguire joins Katie and David for a closer look at the live music industry. A recent report showed that Irish adults spent an average €757 on music events last year.   And it's not just music, American football games are generating huge sums for the economy. The trio also discuss the new global p...

As CAO offers reach students today, David, Katie and Fran reflect on demographic pressure and grade deflation which has had an impact on this year's Leaving Cert students. While 51% received an offer of their top choice, that's down from last year's 56%. Points for several courses increased substantially.  Later, the trio speak to Dr Irwin Gill of CHI at Temple Street Children's Hospital who...

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill called for the removal of the Triple Lock at the Béal na Bláth commemoration evoking memories of Michael Collins and Irish soverneignty.  David, Katie and Fran discuss the impact of the Triple Lock and whether it will survive in the changing global environment. The trio also discuss defence budgets and political pressure coming on Tánaiste Si...

Professor Barry O'Sullivan, an expert on AI, joins Katie and Paul to discuss the dangers of AI Therapy, which is becoming increasingly popular amongst young people. Barry explains that that technology is moving so fast, that authorities are finding challenging to keep up.  He believes safety measures need to be put in place and a possible ban on some AI therapy chatbots.  The trio discus...

Laura Reiley's 29 year daughter, Sophie took her life in February this year. Her parents later discovered that Sophie had been using an AI therapy chat bot, it had even helped her write a suicide note.  Laura spoke to Katie and Paul about what happened and why she wants to see safeguards put in place when people use AI therapy chatbots.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

The international lawyer working on the Jimmy Lai case, Caoilfhoinn Gallagher, says she won't be intimidated by threats to her. Katie and Paul do a deep dive with Caoilfhionn into the trial of the Hong Kong businessman, whose is in court this week as closing arguments are made against him by the authorities on varies charges including colluding with foreign forces.  The 77-year-old has pleade...

As the main political parties are still deciding whether they will run a candidate in the Presidential Election, columnist and former Senior Advisor to the Labour Party, Fergus Finlay explains why he wanted to be the Labour nominee this time around and why that didn't work out.  Katie and Paul also discuss with Fergus the low number of political candidates putting themselves forward and why i...

With food prices increasing and even your bar of chocolate costing more, Fiona Mitchell and Louise Byrne speak to Dr Ciaran O’Carroll, Lecturer on Sustainability on the link between wildfires, climate change and your weekly shop.  Fiona also looks forward to Oasis this weekend!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Trump-Putin summit approaches, presenters Carole Coleman and Louise Byrne speak to Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House. Carole and Louise tease out the background to the meeting, why it is taking place in Alaska but also what could be the possible outcome for Ukraine and Europe. Mr Giles describes the meeting as a win for Putin "long bef...

A new book coming out this week gives further insight into Britain’s Prince Andrew’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Journalist Laura Burns, who was working for BBC in 2019, is one of those mentioned in the new book as she was vital in getting the now infamous Newsnight interview with the British royal to air. Laura also worked on the BBC Panorama programme that focused on the victims of Jeffre...

As Israel's Security Cabinet approves a plan to take over Gaza City, Fran McNulty and Juliette Gash discuss what this means for the people of Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave. They are joined by Dr Tahani Mustafa, Visiting Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Also up for discussion is the possible impact of Ireland's Occupied Territories Bill on our relation...

James Brannigan, a retired detective, tells Fran how he hopes his new charity The Katie Trust will help families who fear their loved one's death was not investigated properly by authorities. And a new report from the Coolmine Centre in Dublin confirms that cocaine use continues to rise in Ireland - RTÉ's Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely joins Fran to discuss this worryi...

The damage to the seas around Ireland has been branded “alarming” by marine biologist Rebecca Hunter. She joins Fran to outline why Ireland needs its own legislation to safeguard marine protection areas. The latest reports on the condition of marine and coastal habitats within some of Ireland’s marine protected areas are in an unfavourable status. Given the drop in the number of species in Irish w...