The Hard Shoulder

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has suggested that NGOs should not give out tents to asylum seekers coming into the country. Is this the right reaction? Guest host Anton Savage is joined by Sarah McGuinness, Assistant News Editor with the Business Post and Fergus Finlay, Columnist for the Irish Examiner, to discuss.

It was revealed that Angelina Jolie asked her kids to give their father, Brad Pitt, the cold shoulder during custody visits to try to build a wedge between them.  So often children are used and are hurt during the breakdown of a relationship. How can you avoid this and make sure the process is straightforward when children are involved?   Michelle Browne, is senior family mediator a...

Now, legislation is being sought so that the purchasing of cigarettes and other tobacco products from 18 to 21 will be prohibited. This ban will not currently affect those in the bracket as part of a “wash through”.    For more information, Kieran is joined by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

The Irish Heart Foundation has launched its ‘Before Damage is Done’ campaign this month to encourage adults to get their blood pressure checked. 9,652 lives were lost in Ireland due to heart disease and stroke in 2022, so this year they are combating the silent killer that is high blood pressure..   Joining Kieran is Consultant cardiologist and Medical Director with the Irish Heart Found...

Children’s Author and Limerick Native Darren Shan joins Kieran on The Bookshelf to discuss his favourite book. Favourite Book:   Secret Garden – by Frances Hodgson Burnett  Honourable Mention:   Salem’s Lot by Stephen King    Currently Reading:   Illuminations by Alan More 

Criticism has been given towards Katie Taylor over her positive comments regarding Mike Tyson.   Katie said it was a dream to be fighting on the same card as Mike Tyson, which has sparked some discussion considering Tyson’s history of violence against Women. Bernie Linnane, Labour Party Councilor Candidate for Leitrim joins Kieran to discuss. 

There is an event tonight in Emmet Theatre, Trinity College Dublin to mark 76 years of Nakba, Gaza and the struggle for justice in Palestine with a number of speakers taking part.   Amongst them are Shawan Jabarin, General Director of the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq and Lubnah Shomali , Advocacy Manager at BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Right...

The deposit return scheme will be in full swing at the day and night festival this June to help and sustain our local environment.   Joining Kieran to discuss is Bob Coggins from the White Hag Brewery, who believes the Deposit Return Scheme is a perfect example of bureaucracy gone bad…

In the lead up to the Local and European elections, we're going to be out and about with candidates who have a unique background. To kick things off, Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie spoke with some candidates who were born outside of Ireland but now call this country home.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail, and Broadcaster Meghann Scully.

The legendary Godfather of Punk Poetry John Cooper Clarke is to receive a gold medal today from Trinity College for his outstanding contribution to the arts.   He is set to kick off his “Get him while he’s alive” Irish tour tomorrow in Dublin and joins Kieran to chat.

This week in our Kid's Health Check, Dr Suzanne Crowe, Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital joined Jonathan to discuss whooping cough.

Over in the UK a government commissioned report has recommended that groups such as Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil get treated like terrorist groups. Joining Kieran to discuss is Just Stop Oil Supporter Harley Brewer.

GAA president Jarlath Burns has defended the use of GAA Go and said he was surprised at criticisms of the service coming from politicians, including Taoiseach Simon Harris.  Cork won a thrilling contest against All Ireland Champions Limerick on Saturday night at a sellout SuperValu Páirc Uí Caoimh, but all three of Cork’s Hurling Championship games were broadcast on GAA Go.  Diarmuid O’S...

Reports have said that there are hundreds of children who are going to be left without places in special schools this September. It has been reported there are 161 applicants for just 52 places at just one school on Baggot Street.  Joining Kieran is Neasa Sheahan, principal of Catherine McAuley National School in Dublin City, and Carol Wickham, who has not got a place for her daughter in a re...

Minister for health Stephen Donnelly made a promise to reform emergency departments around the country at the INMO conference last week, but is he capable of delivering his promises?   Joining Kieran to discuss is Former HSE Director General and columnist for the Sunday Independent, Tony O'Brien and Consultant in Emergency Medicine in Mayo, Dr Lisa Cunningham.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis and Wendy Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist.

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Newstalk Reporter, Henry McKean gives Kieran an update on an alleged violent incident between the Dutch delegate and a Eurovision staff member. He also chats with Irish hopeful, Bambie Thug ahead of the next rehearsal.

This week 20 years ago the 2004 championship got under way to a scandalous start with a new theme tune for the Sunday Game. Joining Kieran to look back on this story is Glen Killane - Executive Director of Eurovision Sport and former head of sport at RTÉ, Cyril Farrell - Former Galway manager, and Former Sunday Game Pundit, Gillian Horan.

Mick McCarthy from Off the Ball joins Kieran for an overview of sport this weekend.

Baby Reindeer has been on the forefront of everyone's mind the last few weeks, but what effect do shows like this have on victims? Kieran was joined now by Activist and co-founder of Stalking Ireland, Eve McDowell and Forensic Psychologist at Adult Education UCC, Dr Ciara Staunton

Ahead of Bruce Springsteen's tour kick-off in Kilkenny, Kieran is joined by Michael Bossone Organiser of fans for Springsteen Concerts, and Anthony Morrison Owner of Christy’s Bar and Chair of VFI Kilkenny

Kieran goes through some of the biggest stories of the day with Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs consultant and Irish Times columnist and Sarah Jayne Tobin, Content Editor at Evoke and Inspire podcast.

Kieran is joined in studio by Sarina Bellissimo, Presenter of The Bellissimo Files Podcast, and Newstalk’s own Sue Murphy who have come armed with all the latest TV and Movie recommendations. This week they discuss ‘Bodkin’ and ‘Much Ado About Dying’.