The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Jennifer Bray, Political Editor Of The Sunday Times, talks to Matt about her debut novel, The Lies Between Us. Centering on the warring Brown sisters, the book deals with the fall out from the disappearance of Susannah Brown. Jennifer also talks about a life-altering attack that happened to her as a young journalist at the beginning of her career. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' b...

Are you a sports fanatic or a movie buff? Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to run through some of the best tech available to create your own home cinema. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Actor, writer, and director Andrew McCarthy is the latest inductee into The Last Word's Culture Club, with Bob Dylan, John Williams and The Brady Bunch among some of his biggest influences. Andrew is currently starring in The Crucible, which runs in the Gaiety Theatre until March 21st. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear his picks.

Irish Households are paying twice as much for their electricity as data centres, according to a report by Eurostat. Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss this and also claims that Irish banks are ripping off young savers. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The High Court will rule next week whether the mother and sister of Enoch Burke were in contempt of court when they interrupted a case involving Enoch last week. Enoch Burke has now served 601 days in prison for contempt of court. Judge Brian Cregan heard submissions from Martina and Ammi Burke today about why they should not be imprisoned.  Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor at Mediahuis Ire...

Gabriel Sherman, author of Bonfire Of The Murdochs, talks to Matt about the succession story behind the Murdoch media empire, the driving forces behind Rupert Murdoch's ambitions and what drove the family apart. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Government has allocated an additional €19 million for special needs assistants (SNAs) to ensure there are no cuts in the 2026/27 academic year following outcry over plans to reduce the service provision in almost 200 schools. But SNAs, unions and parents say that this measure is just 'kicking the can down the road' and the Government must now engage with stakeholders to address issues relating to...

The US Justice Department buried some Epstein files which included allegations that President Donald Trump sexually abused a minor, according to an investigation by NPR. This comes despite Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche telling Congress that no Epstein records were withheld or redacted “on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity,...

Tuesday, February 24th 2026 makes it 4 years since Ukraine was invaded by Russian forces. In those four years, it’s estimated that over 15,000 civilians have been killed, with 2025 recording the highest death toll since 2022. Lara Marlowe, journalist and contributor to the Irish Times, speaks to Matt about the reality that Ukrainians have faced since the invasion and whether their faith in Europe...

Arsenal travelled to Tottenham on Sunday and got their Premier League title challenge back on track with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over their North London rivals. The result leaves Spurs sitting in 16th in the table and 4 points above the relegation zone. Given their current form, is the prospect of relegation now very real? Elsewhere on Sunday, violence erupted in Guadalajara after the leader o...

The BBC has removed its coverage of Sunday night’s BAFTA awards from iPlayer after a racial slur was broadcast on BBC One and remained uncorrected for a number of hours. It was said by John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette syndrome, as Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan took to the stage to present an award. The broadcaster has since apologised for the controversy and said that the footage will...

Passengers travelling between Ireland and Wales this week will be scanned with facial recognition technology as part of a pilot scheme that’s being rolled out across the UK. The move has received criticism, with Dr. Elizabeth Farries from University College Dublin saying that there are “established problems” with the technology. She, alongside travel commentator Eoghan Corry, speak to Matt on The...

Over half of Irish workers feel that their pay does not fairly reflect the skills and effort that they bring to their role, according to a new survey published by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Owen Reidy, general secretary of ICTU, and Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME, join The Last Word to discuss the level of job quality in the Irish employment environment. Catch the full cha...

On the Week Trending, TV producer Paddy Duffy and journalist and podcast host Elaine Burke discuss the conviction of an Austrian climber for leaving his girlfriend to freeze to death. They also discuss the impending release of classified files in the US relating to alien life, and the celebration in stamp form of the Aran jumper. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page...

Britain's royal family has been plunged into crisis following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor on suspicion of misconduct while in office. Nick Ferrari, presenter of Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on LBC Radio, joins The Last Word to discuss whether this latest development has damaged the monarchy irreparably. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

A new initiative is looking for members of the public to sign up to become 'hedgehog helpers' in a bid to protect the much-loved animal. John Gibbons joins The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest climate and environment news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Paul Cullen, former Irish Times Health Correspondent, talks to Matt about Outsider, his memoir that charts his recovery from injuries sustained in a fall off a mountain in Germany and his search for his biological parents. While he had always known he was adopted, that fall was the propulsion for Paul's search to find out what had happened to him in his early years, and where and how he had spent...

On Thursday morning, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by Mountbatten Windsor with Jeffrey Epstein. The former prince, who turns 66 today, has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Mark Paul, London...

Playwright, author and director, Una McKevitt is the latest inductee into the Last Word Culture Club. Una's play, Fair Deal, is running at the Peacock Stage at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. It's a satirical take on one last night in a Dublin family's home. Una outlines the idea behind her play and also talks to Matt about her favourite music, film, TV, books and more. To catch the full conversation...

U2 have surprised fans by dropping a six-track EP, 'Days of Ash', which is their most political work in years with songs about the killing of Renée Good in the United States, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and the persecution of women Iran. John Caddell joins Matt on The Last Word to listen to the EP and discuss the stories behind each of the tracks. Hear the full conversation by pressing the 'Play'...

Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has been met with mixed reviews since its release last Friday. However, critics have lauded Charli xcx for her accompanying album and her ability to pivot away from her 2024 record 'Brat'. John Caddell and Dee Reddy speak to Matt on The Last Word to have their say. Elsewhere, Matt picks his all-time favourite songs by Irish artists as par...

US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has died aged 84. His death marks the last of the iconic civil rights leaders who were led by Martin Luther King Jr. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

A report from Sherry Fitzgerald found a 39,000 deficit in the number of student beds available to rent Matt is joined by USI/AMLE VP for the Dublin Region Daniel Walsh and Labour Spokesperson on Higher Education Senator Laura Harmon to discuss Hit Play on this page to listen now

Author Edel Coffey has published her third novel ‘In Glass Houses’. She joins Matt on The Last Word to talk about why writing crime fiction appeals to her, why female readers are drawn to the genre and how her time as a journalist has stood to her when coping with the pressure of meeting deadlines. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat about some great deals and incredible trips for adults looking to get away. Sarah has picked a wide range of holidays suitable for couples, friends and solo travellers. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!