The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this episode, Niall asks: Has Ireland just made you state property after death? From June 17th, all Irish citizens will automatically be considered organ donors unless they formally opt out. The move is being hailed by some as a lifesaving, compassionate reform that will help those in desperate need of transplants. But others say it crosses a line — claiming it turns the human body into governm...

In this episode, Niall asks: Is gender still a barrier for women entering male-dominated trades? The discussion follows the story of Katelyn Cummins, an apprentice electrician and the current Laois Rose, who hopes to inspire more young women to consider careers in trades. Despite being the only woman in her class, she says she’s been treated fairly and sees no reason why more women shouldn’t pursu...

In this episode, Niall asks: What does it mean to be Irish today — and are we losing that identity? The conversation was sparked by a controversial Irish Times article that described the Irish as “mongrels,” challenging long-held ideas about Irish heritage and belonging. The article, inspired by a new RTÉ TV series, argues that Ireland has always been a place of diversity and contradictions — a me...

In this episode, Niall takes on a deeply personal and divisive question: Should families lose their homes if they can’t keep up with payments? Dolores, a listener, wrote in with a story that resonates with many. She and her husband bought their house twelve years ago, determined to give their children a secure place to grow up. But after the pandemic cost her husband his job, they fell behind. Des...

In this episode, Niall asks: Are men equally the victims of domestic violence? The conversation challenges the long-held belief that domestic abuse is solely a women’s issue and looks at the stigma that stops men from speaking out. Some callers said men absolutely can be victims — and too often their pain is laughed off or ignored. They argued that if a man hits a woman, it’s instantly condemned,...

In this episode, Niall asks: What should you do if a co-worker you caught stealing promises to stop — but then you catch them again? The topic comes from an email by a man who saw a colleague slipping store clothes into her bag. She told him she was struggling to pay bills and needed to make ends meet. Out of compassion, he agreed not to tell management if she promised to stop. But now, he’s caugh...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should Ireland place a total pause on immigration until we fix the issues at home? While many agree that illegal immigration needs stronger enforcement, a growing number of voices are now calling for a complete halt to all immigration — legal or not — until the country gets its housing, healthcare, and infrastructure crises under control. Some callers supported a full...

In this episode, Niall asks: If you found out your father was cheating on your mother, would you tell her? The question comes from a young woman who emailed the show after catching her dad having an affair — and now she’s torn between protecting her mother and protecting her relationship with her father. Some callers said she absolutely needs to tell her mother. They argued that staying silent mak...

In this episode, Niall asks whether 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote. The Social Democrats are set to table a bill to lower Ireland’s voting age from 18 to 16 — but is that too young to make informed political decisions? Are today’s teenagers engaged enough to help shape the future of the country, or are they being used as political pawns? Some callers argue that if 16-year-olds can work, pa...

In this episode, Niall asks a hard question that many are afraid to voice: Are men and women truly treated equally in modern society? The discussion is sparked by an email from a male listener who says he was passed over for a management promotion in favour of a woman, despite having more experience and being told he was next in line. According to a friend in HR, the decision came down to gender —...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should learner drivers be allowed to drive unaccompanied? The debate heats up after Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe suggested that current rules — which require learners to be accompanied by a fully licensed driver — are too restrictive, especially for students and young people living in rural areas. Supporters of relaxing the law say it’s a practical move. In rural Irelan...

In this episode, Niall explores a deeply taboo question: Do people ever regret having children? It's a topic most parents are too ashamed or afraid to speak about publicly—but for some, the feeling is real. The conversation begins with an email from a listener who admits they love their children but quietly wonder what life might’ve looked like without them. The exhaustion, financial strain, loss...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should Ireland pay illegal migrants to leave the country? The discussion comes after Donald Trump announced plans to offer flights to help undocumented migrants “self-deport,” warning that those who refuse would face the full force of the law. Should Ireland consider a similar approach—offering cash incentives for voluntary departure—or stick to straightforward deporta...

In this episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, we’re asking: Should mothers be free to breastfeed anywhere they choose—or should there be limits? The conversation stems from a viral post showing a mother breastfeeding her baby in public with the caption challenging people to stop demanding mothers be “respectful” while feeding their child. While breastfeeding is legal in public across many countries...

Dr. Marcus de Brun joins Niall Boylan to expose what he calls a dark chapter in Ireland’s COVID-19 response—one marked by censorship, coercion, and what he describes as “manslaughter in slow motion.” A former GP and former member of the Irish Medical Council, de Brun now faces the possible loss of his medical licence. “I’ve been accused of misconduct—not for hurting patients, not for negligence—bu...

In this episode, Niall asks: Would knowing your co-worker’s salary make the workplace fairer – or just more toxic? The discussion is sparked by the EU’s new directive on pay transparency, which will soon require companies to publish salary ranges for advertised roles and allow employees to request the salary range for their own positions. This move, aimed at reducing the gender pay gap and promoti...

In this episode, Niall asks: Do protests still have the power to make a difference—or are they being ignored? The discussion follows last weekend’s enormous demonstration in Dublin, where tens of thousands flooded O’Connell Street in a grassroots protest against Ireland’s immigration policy. Despite the protest's size, it received minimal media attention and no formal response from the government,...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should older people living alone in three-bedroom council houses be required to downsize to make way for younger families? As Ireland’s housing crisis deepens, the question of how social housing is allocated has sparked a new debate. With growing numbers of families stuck in emergency accommodation and a severe shortage of larger homes, is it reasonable to ask elderly...

In this episode, Niall asks: Is animal testing a necessary evil? The Irish Anti-Vivisection Society (IAVS) has condemned the grim reality that over 106,000 animals — including cats and dogs — were used in painful experiments in Ireland last year. With growing public outrage, Niall discusses whether all animal use in medical research should now be banned. Some callers argue that although it’s uncom...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should the Irish government pay people to have babies—and is motherhood properly valued in Irish society? The discussion was sparked by a U.S. proposal under the Trump administration to offer a $5,000 baby bonus to new mothers, aimed at reversing declining birth rates and promoting traditional family structures. As America explores pronatalist policies, the question is...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Are some grandparents too involved—or are new parents just being ungrateful? The topic stems from a heartfelt email sent in by a first-time mum who says her mother-in-law is turning her life upside down. From daily unannounced visits to constant criticism of her parenting, she feels like she’s being pushed aside in her own home. To make matters worse, her husband...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Is religion helping or harming mental health? Can faith be a lifeline—or a source of guilt and repression? Religion has, for centuries, been a source of comfort, purpose, and moral grounding for billions of people around the world. For many, it offers a sense of belonging, a guide through life’s darkest moments, and a way to make sense of suffering. It can provide...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Should Ireland officially recognise only two genders—male and female? The conversation is sparked by recent international developments: The U.S. has moved away from recognising genders beyond male and female, and the UK Supreme Court recently ruled that a woman is someone born biologically female. Should Ireland now follow suit and take a stand on what some are ca...

In this engaging and refreshingly honest interview, Niall is joined by The Apprentice UK breakout star Jordan Dargan, the only Irish contestant in this year’s series, who made it all the way to the final five—despite not even being part of the original lineup. Jordan shares the behind-the-scenes reality of life on one of Britain’s biggest business shows, what really went down in the boardroom, and...

In this episode, Niall asks a timely and controversial question: Should it be illegal to film Gardaí while they’re on duty? The debate stems from growing calls within the Gardaí for restrictions on the public streaming or recording officers in the line of duty, especially during arrests or public disturbances. Supporters of the proposed restrictions argue that filming Gardaí without context can en...