The Last Word with Matt Cooper

U2’s long-rumoured Las Vegas residency has been announced but the Irish band will be missing one member. Drummer Larry Mullen Jr won’t join U2 in Vegas because he has to undergo back surgery. To discuss this news and the other music stories making headlines this week Matt is joined by Dee Reddy and Dave Hanratty. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone joined Matt to discuss the stories making headlines in the US this week. This includes a UFO taskforce to look at suspected spy balloons, Mike Pence plans to fight a subpoena from the counsel investigating Donald Trump and Nikki Haley enters the 2024 presidential race. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Killer Kenneth Noye, who stabbed 21-year-old Stephen Cameron to death in 1996, has spoken about the murder for the first time since his release from prison in a new book. The journey towards arresting Noye for the murder was one with a lot of twists. Journalist Donal MacIntyre, co-author of A Million Ways To Stay On The Run: The Uncut Story Of The International Manhunt For Public Enemy No1 Kenny N...

Over half of women and around 20% of men will experience a form of osteoporosis in their life. The common health condition weakens people’s bones making them more fragile and more likely to break. Dr Brian Higgins joined Matt to explain more about osteoporosis and what people can do to try and prevent it. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Rory O’Neill has been commended for his performance on RTE’s Dancing with the Stars, in which he dedicated his latest routine to Professor Fiona Mulcahy, one of the first doctors who treated him when he was diagnosed as HIV Positive. Also up for discussion with Joe O’Shea and Sarah McGuinness was ‘The Last of Us’, which reached the half-way mark on Friday night, ‘Liam Brady: The Irishman Abroad’,...

Ireland and France served up a Six Nations fixture for the ages on Saturday as Andy Farrell’s side came out on top of a 32-19 scoreline at the Aviva Stadium. Matt Williams and Fergus McFadden analysed the significance of the win in the context of this tournament, and for the 2023 World Cup. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Concerns have been voiced about CCTV cameras that are currently in operation within Leinster House. Green Party TD Patrick Costello has called for Hikvision cameras, which have been linked to security issues in Britain, the USA and Australia to be removed. Mr. Costello, along with Ronan Murphy, CEO of SmartTech247, joined Matt to explain how these cameras are operated and whether they pose a safet...

The Warner Bros’ Studio Tour is one of London’s most popular tourist spots with fans of all ages wanting to get a glimpse of the Harry Potter world. Sarah Slattery from TheTravelExpert.ie explained how to get there, what to expect and what makes the trip so special. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Liverpool hope to reignite their season on Monday night when Everton visit Anfield. Tony Cascarino and Mark Lawrenson joined Matt to discuss the Merseyside derby and the weekend’s Premier League fixtures. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Brianna Parkins and Lorcan Nyhan joined Matt to discuss the other stories making headlines this week. They talked about the possibility of a gender-neutral God, a missing Virgin Mary statue and Madonna hitting back at ageism and misogyny. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The weather phenomenon that was behind the Beast from the East in 2018 may return and bring heavy snow later this month. Alan O’Reilly joined Matt to discuss whether a spell of freezing weather could bring the country to a standstill once again. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

This year marks 25 years since the release of Titanic. To celebrate the event, the film has been re-released in cinemas around the country. Brian Lloyd from Entertainment.ie joined Matt for this week’s movie slot to discuss the film's return, as well as other releases hitting the big screen this weekend. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Teams in the Premier League wore green armbands last weekend to emphasise their support for environmental awareness. Did it have the desired effect on an international stage? Meanwhile, it was reported this week that plug-in hybrid cars emit more carbon dioxide than official measures suggest. It has caused further concern that vehicles which are sold as better for the environment may not be. Catch...

Yesterday, news broke that former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has returned to Fianna Fáil after leaving the party over a decade ago. Michael Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and co-author of ‘Bertie Ahern and the Drumcondra Mafia’ joined Matt to look back on the controversy that surrounded his career following the findings of the Mahon Tribunal. Catch the full chat by pressing th...

This week on our personal finance spot Charlie Weston spoke to Matt about why motorists are facing a loyalty premium on insurance, the cost of fuel and savings interest rates. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

New research from the University of Vienna has found that dating apps can make people overly self conscious and less likely to go on dates in person. So are dating apps actually making it harder for people to find love? To discuss this Matt was joined by Roe McDermott, journalist and relationships columnist with the Irish Times. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has rejoined Fianna Fáil after more than 10 years. He left the party in 2012 following the findings of the Mahon Tribunal. To react to the news, as well as discuss the possibility that the Dáil could have 250 TDs by 2050, Matt was joined by Gary Murphy from the School of Law and Government in DCU, Political Editor with the Irish Examiner Daniel McConnell and Fianna Fá...

The 2023 Grammys had many standout moments. Beyonce made history by becoming the most-awarded Grammy artist of all time, and Ben Affleck became a meme once again. To discuss the awards show and the week’s other music stories Matt was joined by Dee Reddy and John Caddell. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

President Joe Biden will outline an optimistic vision for the future of the US during his State of the Union address tonight. Matt was joined by Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone to talk about what can be expected from Biden’s annual address as well as the other US news stories of the week. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Dr. Harry Barry has spent years looking at the causes and treatments for many mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, panic and phobias. His new book focuses on the impact that Covid-19 lockdowns have had on social skills and how people can improve their emotional connection with others. Dr. Harry Barry joined Matt to discuss his book The Power of Connection. Catch the full chat by pres...

Matt was joined by Jamesie O’Connor and Seamus Hickey to look ahead to the start of the 2023 National Hurling League. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Beyoncé has announced her Renaissance World Tour, but if Irish fans want to see her they are going to have to travel. Matt was joined by Dave Hanratty, host of the No Encore podcast, and Michael Murphy, music lecturer in IADT to discuss why some music superstars are opting out of Irish gigs Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Ben Finnegan and Laura Byrne joined Matt to discuss the week’s biggest news as well as the other stories making headlines, including anti-migrant protests, renaming Dublin’s streets and cancelling rugby songs. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Hannah Daly is the author of “Knowing No Boundaries”, where she tells the inspirational story of how, despite being profoundly dyslexic, dyspraxic and having a sensory processing disorder, she has written a memoir and become an occupational therapist. She spoke to The Last Word about the challenges she faces in day-to-day life and how she adapts to overcome them. Catch the full chat by pressing th...

It was reported on Thursday that Tánaiste Micheál Martin has signed off on a plan to replace the government jet, with the current aircraft coming to the “end of its lifecycle”. Political Editor of the Irish Examiner Daniel McConnell & Senator Tom Clonan joined Matt to discuss the matter and explain how the new aircraft will differ to the current one. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' butt...