Behind the Story

RTÉ's Legal Affairs Correspondent Orla O'Donnell joins Fran and Evelyn to discuss Conor McGregor losing his appeal against a High Court jury's finding that he raped Nikita Hand. They also discuss Nikita Hand's lodging of a new civil action against the former MMA fighter - as well as a couple he intended to call to give evidence in his appeal. And ahead of CMAT's appearance at All Together Now this...

Australia is adding YouTube to sites covered by its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the platform. Fran and Evelyn talk to Irish Independent Technology Editor Adrian Weckler on how it may, or may not, work and if Ireland could follow suit. And as Evelyn reveals she's a new EV owner, they also discuss if the cost of charging is putting potential...

A transatlantic trade deal is being hailed and criticised across EU capitals. The EU and US have avoided a trade war after agreeing to a 15% tariff rate after a meeting between EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump at his golf course in Scotland. Deloitte Ireland Chief Economist Kate English joins Fran and Evelyn O'Rourke to examine if the trade deal is a win f...

After another devastating week in Gaza, dominated by reports of malnutrition in the enclave, Fran and David discuss the latest developments. They are joined by Irish Times International Correspondent Sally Hayden, who witnessed the destruction of Gaza from close to the border with Israel, and has spent the past three weeks reporting from the West Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

As the annual hunt for All-Ireland final tickets reaches its peak, GAA Correspondent Marty Morrissey joins Fran and David to discuss how tickets are allocated and why some fans always lose out. Also, a row over drone deliveries in west Dublin and David pays tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of an imminent planning decision on Dublin's proposed underground rail system, Eastern Correspondent Samantha Libreri joins David & Fran to discuss her interview with the CEO of Metrolink, the man tasked with making it all happen. Later, what political buzzwords are flying about this summer? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conspiracies, claims and counter claims regarding the release of the Epstein files have reached fever pitch in Washington DC. In a climbdown, President Trump is now asking the US Attorney General to produce what she can in relation to the so called client list.  David, Katie and Fran are joined by their former colleague, Caitríona Perry, now BBC News Chief Presenter and host of The President'...

Putin refuses to bend to international pressure to agree to peace talks with Ukraine. His determination to control Ukraine continues unabated.  Fran and David are joined by Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin of DCU, author of “Unfinished Empire” to discuss Putin and his territorial ambitions and if there is any possibility of peace in Ukraine now that President Trump has given a deadline of fifty...

At the weekend, President Trump announced that a 30% tariff would come into effect for EU goods going into the US from August 1st. David and Katie are joined by Lorcan Roche Kelly, Agri Business Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal to examine what the impact might be on dairy and whiskey exports.  Later, David and Katie discuss Chelsea winning the FIFA Club World Cup and whether it's 'footba...

"Breaking the Airwaves" the AI generated song about the Behind the Story podcast [from Friday's episode]!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The online journalism and entertainment sectors - from news websites to music streaming services - are facing new challenges with the rise of Artificial Intelligence. How can media companies finance high quality journalism and fight off the threat of AI at a time when digital advertising is becoming more fragmented? David and Katie discuss what all this means with Dr Eileen Culloty, the Deputy Dir...

As the public is urged to conserve water in several counties, David and Katie speak to Public Affairs Editor, David Murphy about the shortage of water and why it is having a serioius impact on future housing developments. They also discuss the demands on the electricity grid and how more energy is needed to power our homes and businesses.  Later, David is delighted to discuss 'constitutional'...

When she was a small child, Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan lived in a home where domestic abuse was commonplace. On one particular night, her mother's former partner threatened to kill them and her mother risked her life to save the children. Recently, Nicole spoke in the Seanad and was sucessful in getting an amendment added to the revised domestic abuse laws, if the amendment suceeds, the presenc...

In an unexpected turn of events at the Court of Appeal, Conor McGregor withdrew the so called new evidence.  McGregor is appealing the finding of a civil case where a jury found he had raped Nikita Hand in a hotel in 2018. Orla O’Donnell, RTÉ's Legal Affairs Correspondent, was in the appeal court this week and she joins Fran and Katie to tease out the details of the appeal and where the case...

David, Katie and Fran take a look at the politics behind the row over college fees. Earlier this week, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless confirmed there are no cost of living measures to support the continued reduction in fees but that Budget 26 negotiations were ongoing. The opposition isn't happy with that position and wants clarity.  The trio also discuss UK Chancellor Rachel Ree...

Labour's win over the Tories last summer was described as a 'loveless landslide' and as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer marks one year in office, David, Katie and Fran discuss his short lived political honeymoon. Recent polls suggest he has some of the lowest approval ratings of any recently elected PM.  The trio are joined by George Parker, Political Editor of the Financial Times to examine S...

A school beating that lingered: Paul Cunningham reveals his personal story of what happened to him as a ten year old child and how recent changes to child protection guidelines are helping to address some of the issues victims were experiencing when contacting their former schools.  Katie and Paul also discuss Ireland's defence spend and why government are getting involved in an EU procuremen...

The race to become the next Mayor of New York took a surprising turn when a relative unknown candidate topped the Democratic primary - David, Katie and Fran discuss what that might mean for the Democratic Party. Later, the trio discuss the report in the decline of the nightclubs and the cost of gigs this summer.  David and Fran also talk to Katie about the cancellation of the TV show Upfront...

As the trailer drops for Saipan the movie, Fran and Katie discuss who they supported in the Roy Keane v Mick McCarthy row from World Cup 2002.  The team also discuss the impact of new requirements to provide US authorities with info on social media accounts for student study visas. And later, Graham Finlay, Assistant Professor in UCD discusses the possibility of regime change in Iran.  S...

As some well known names rule themselves out,  while others express interest in running for the Presidency, Fran, David and Katie discuss the most brutal race of all, a run for Áras.  With just four months to go, who are the possible candidates that might emerge? The trio discuss previous Presidential campaigns including the infamous 1990 campaign that saw Mary Robinson elected. David su...

Westminister Magistrates Court had never seen a scene like it – tunes were blaring, chants were sung, hundreds turned up to support Kneecap’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh as he appeared charged under the UK's anti-terror legislation. In the latest episode of Behind the Story, RTÉ’s man in London Tommy Meskill helped Fran McNulty, Katie Hannon, and David McCullagh unpack it all. The trio also took a look at...

Following a report today by Consumer Affairs Correspondent Aengus Cox, Katie, Fran and David talk about why people may be avoiding Greece and Spain and opting for northern Europe instead for their summer holidays.  Norway is seeing a 50% rise in visitors year-on-year while traditional sunny destinations are seeing a spike in Spring and Autumn months.  The team also take a look at the onl...

Kenneth Strange is a former FBI agent who is friends with the family of Annie McCarrick who went missing from her Dublin home in 1993.  A suspect who was this week arrested in connection with her murder was later released without charge. Fran and Katie talk to Kenneth about the case, and later they are joined by Dr Eugenio Lilli of UCD to talk about how Iran may react to Israel's strikes. See...

There have been calls for calm following two nights of riots that saw 32 PSNI officers injured. The riots started out as a protest on Monday night linked to an alleged sexual assault. Two teenagers have since appeared in court charged with attempted rape, while on the streets cars have been set on fire, houses have been targeted, and water cannons have been deployed. Many of those targeted are mig...

One of the country’s biggest teaching unions voted against Leaving Cert reform at the weekend citing resources and capacity. But another concern is a lack of guidance on the use of AI by students. While the Department of Education is working on guidelines here, Estonia is putting AI into the classrooms for 16 years from September. Fran and David speak to Estonia’s Education Minister Kristina Kalla...