The Hard Shoulder

Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 historical sexual abuse charges against two victims. Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent Jamie O’Hara joins Shane from Newry Crown Court to give the latest updates…

This week , Ciara and Shane were joined by Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy and Freelance Journalist Niamh O'Reilly to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

Enoch Burke has had his application to disqualify the panel investigating his alleged misconduct denied. Mr. Burke also had an application to remove the chair specifically, due to their alleged bias against him, was also denied.  Newstalk's chief reporter Barry Whyte gave Ciara and Shane the latest.

The announcement comes after far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said that "all of Lebanon must burn" after Israel's military announced the deaths of four soldiers there.  The agreement was also supposed to halt the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Washington has expressed frustration at Israel's ongoing campaign there.&...

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Uisce Éireann has urged households across the country to help conserve water in the coming months, saying demand can quickly increase as temperatures rise.  Dr. Jenny Lawler from the DCU Water Institute joined Ciara and Shane to tell us how and why we should do this.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan reiterated his belief that Dublin is “very safe” and this comes after  some high profile incident and killings in the city centre in recent weeks   And a new survey of six countries shows that while people think crime is increasing – stats show it is decreasing and this is the same for Dublin, with many disagreeing with Minister O’Callagahsn sentimen...

Most grocery shopping trips are the same, bring list, find items, head to check out.  But not when you take your business to a certain German retailer.  The Lidl middle aisle has been delighting Irish customers with leaf blowers, scuba suits and electric chainsaws for more than 20 years.   But is it a force for good or bad? Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden reports.

Andy Burnham has set up a potential showdown with Keir Starmer after convincingly winning the Makerfield byelection, paving the way for his return to Westminster and a likely tilt at the Labour leadership.  Ciara and Shane were joined by Former political secretary to Tony Blair & Senior Adviser at Global PR Company Burson, John McTernan

The National Transport Authority (NTA) must take the lead in delivering a clear public transport plan when concerts take place across Dublin, a Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Grace Boland said concertgoers are left often stranded after major events because of the lack of reliable and cohesive public transport.  Deputy Boland joined Ciara and Shane this evening to discuss.

New reports emerged today that the OPW are installing 6 new ‘eco-toilets’ in the Phoenix Park, which will be open to the public. But are there enough public toilets in cities around the country? Shane and Ciara were joined by Oliver Moran, a Cork City Councilor for the Green Party, and Clodagh Ní Mhuirí, a Dublin City Councillor for Fine Gael.

Chris Wasser, Arts Journalist and Sunday Independent Film Critic and Podcaster and Entertainment journalist, Dee Reddy joined Ciara and Shane to chat about some must watch media this week. Image: Disney/PA

Hundreds of athletes from around the country are making their way to Dublin for the start of the Special Olympics Summer Games. It is the first time in eight years that the national games have been staged, after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted plans to hold the last scheduled event in 2022. Newstalk reporter Henry McKean went to Tallaght Stadium for the opening of the games.

Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, hitting the Russian capital’s oil refinery for the second time this week.  “We don’t want this war, we never did, and everyone knows it, and our partners know it,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a voice message sent to reporters on a WhatsApp group. “But if Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn.”  Ciara and Sha...

Do other drivers habits rub you up the wrong way and are you guilty of seeing red on your daily commute?   Our resident Psychiatrist, Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin joined Ciara and Shane to find out just this!

Ireland to face Kazakhstan in Women’s World Cup playoffs, the World Cup continues, and the US Open tees off!  Off The Ball's football correspondent Ben Symes joined Ciara and Shane to give them the latest updates.

A new report by the Oireachtas Committee on Housing has urged The Government to consider reintroducing an emergency ban on no-fault evictions to help tackle homelessness.   The committee backs a recommendation from the Housing Commission for a referendum to be held on adding a right to housing to the constitution.  Ciara and Shane were joined by Rory Hearne, Social Democrats Spokesp...

Everybody loves a holiday, whether it's a big trip abroad or an Irish stay-cation. But can a strange hotel room throw off your holiday mood? Jennifer Sheahan, Irish examiner columnist and former Home of the year winner  along with Mary McCarthy, columnist at Irish Independent join Shane and Ciara to share their hotel views!

Polls have opened today in the historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future. Shane and Ciara were joined by Political Commentator and Columnist for the I newspaper, Adam Boulton.

With summer well and truly upon up and windows finally being left open in homes up and down the country, you may have noticed an increase of flies, moths and other critters buzzing around your kitchen. Collie Ennis, Biodiversity officer Trinity College Dublin joined Ciara and Shane to tell us how we can put a stop to unwanted insects in our homes.

The government has spent €1.3 billion on modular buildings for schools in the past five years.  One TD told the Public Accounts Committee that these modular prefabs, were not conducive to teaching or learning, that they were "a blight on communities across this country” and should not be seen as a permanent solution to classroom space. John Boyle, the Irish National Teachers Organisation Gene...

Closing speeches have concluded today at the trial of Jeffrey Donaldson.   Jamie O Hara is in Newry and joined Shane and Ciara with the latest.

The trial of Riad Bouchaker continued today at the Central Criminal Court  - he is on trial charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to a childcare worker. The jurors heard from some first responders today who outlined what they did to assist one of Riad Bouchaker’s alleged victims - A 5 year old girl. Frank Greaney, Newstalk’s Court Corresp...

It’s good to talk, we’re told, but in a world of increased automation, where our phone can even be our therapist, we’re slowly being silenced. So writes, Kathy Donaghy in the Irish Independent But, are we losing our social skills, manners and even the ability to say a simple hello? Joining Shane and Ciara was Journalist and writer Kathy Donaghy to discuss

US President Donald Trump has said that the US will 'go back to bombing' if no deal is agreed with Iran in 60 days in a news conference before leaving the G7 summit in Évian, France   Shona Murray, Euronews Europe correspondent, joined Ciara and Shane with the latest on the G7