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

In this episode, Niall asks, "Is it fair to reduce Ukrainian welfare coming into Ireland from €236 to €38?" This discussion stems from the recent Cabinet decision to reduce welfare allowances for Ukrainian refugees living in State-provided, full-board accommodation. The payments, which previously stood at €232 per week, will be reduced to €38.80 per week for adults and €29.80 for children starting...

In this episode, Niall is asking, "Is It Time To Excommunicate The Catholic Church From Ireland?" The discussion is sparked by recent revelations and long-standing issues of clerical sex abuse within the Catholic Church. The debate centers on whether the Church's historical and ongoing failures to address abuse justify severing its influence in Ireland. The topic arises from a perspective that Iri...

In this episode, Niall is asking, "Should Puberty Blockers Be Banned Worldwide?" The discussion is sparked by a recent interview between Elon Musk and psychologist Jordan Peterson. Musk shared his emotional experience with his transgender child, Vivian Jenna Wilson, and his regrets over signing documents for puberty blockers during the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed feeling "tricked" and criticiz...

In this episode, Niall is asking, "Who Is Going To Back Down First?" With the ongoing protests in Coolock, it seems to be the people versus the government. Recent events have heightened tensions, including multiple fires at the former Crown Paints factory, clashes between protesters and Gardaí, and injuries among law enforcement. The Taoiseach has warned that those engaging in illegal activities w...

In this episode of the show, host Niall Boylan engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Ian O'Doherty, a journalist from the Irish Independent, and Ben Scallan from Gript Media, about the contentious labeling of political commentators and protestors in Coolock as far right. This conversation arises amidst recent death threats received by politicians in Ireland, prompting a deeper exploration...

In this episode, Niall asks: Day 2 Coolock: Does protesting work? The question arises amidst the backdrop of recent unrest in Coolock, where Gardaí moved to facilitate the development of a site for hundreds of asylum seekers. The government is currently looking at more than 30 large buildings to accommodate migrants claiming asylum, moving away from reliance on hotels and emergency accommodations....

In this episode, Niall Boylan speaks with John McGuirk from Gript Media about the recent riots in Coolock. The government is planning to convert the old Crown Paints factory into an accommodation center for asylum seekers, leading to significant unrest in the area. John McGuirk explains why he won't condemn the riots, emphasizing the government's failure to engage meaningfully with local communiti...

In this episode, Niall asks: Can you be a practicing Catholic and support abortion? The topic arises from a recent news story involving TD for Cork North-Central, Colm Burke, who was denied communion by Father Gabriel Burke due to his stance on abortion. This incident, which occurred during a funeral in Whitechurch, Co Cork, has sparked a significant debate. Describing the event, Colm Burke said,...

Niall kicks things off by speaking with Robbie Kane, a reporter from Dublin Live, who gives us the latest developments on the ground. The protest centres around the use of the old Crown Paints factory, which is being repurposed to accommodate hundreds of refugees. Local residents are up in arms, claiming the government has failed to communicate with them about this significant change. Determined t...

In this episode, Niall discusses the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump with international security specialist Will Geddes. They analyze the significant security lapses that allowed the attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to get dangerously close to Trump during a rally. Geddes provides detailed insight into the failures of the Secret Service and the need for improved security measures. Wil...

In this episode, Niall discusses the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire, resulting in one death and two critical injuries. Trump was struck by a bullet but is fine after receiving medical attention. The incident has raised concerns about security measures at high-profile events and prompted...

In this episode, Niall asks: Would you report bad driving or reckless behavior on the roads? Gardai will soon be asking the public to report drivers speeding, driving poorly, or acting recklessly. Would you participate, or would you never report other drivers? The topic arises from an article about road users who capture video evidence of road traffic offenses. Soon, they will be able to upload th...

In this episode, Niall asks the question: Is recording the nationality of criminals relevant? This topic stems from a viral video posted by Alex Phillips, a British journalist and TV presenter, where she discusses the rise in migrant crime and shares her own experiences of being followed home by migrant men. Alex Phillips joins Niall to talk about her personal experiences and what she has witnesse...

In this episode, Niall asks the question: Are prisons an outdated concept? With the government's recent decision to release prisoners early to alleviate overcrowding, is it time to reconsider how we handle non-violent offenders? Should we be using community service more as an alternative to incarceration? The discussion is prompted by recent news about the growing use of temporary release to ease...

In this episode, Niall discusses a provocative email from a listener who, as a gay man, expressed relief that Pride Month is over. He finds the flamboyant and stereotypical celebrations humiliating rather than empowering. Niall asks listeners: Do you agree? Is Pride Month's flamboyance necessary for visibility and celebration, or does it sometimes go too far and misrepresent the LGBTQ+ community?...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Should a politician who breaks an election promise or lies lose their position, or is that just part and parcel of politics? With election seasons often filled with grand promises and bold statements, the reality of governance can sometimes lead to unfulfilled commitments and changed stances. But where should the line be drawn between acceptable political maneuver...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Is it time to get tough on people on welfare payments who are not trying to get a job? The topic arises from an analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) of the Oireachtas, which found that people not in the workforce are seeing their real incomes increase more than employees, with public servants seeing just a 0.5% increase in real incomes for 2023/24. So...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Are we losing our Irishness or identity, or is that just old-fashioned people like me who won’t accept the world is now a global village? The topic is based on a tweet from David Quinn: "The State is about to ditch the aim of 'fostering a sense of Irish identity' from the primary school curriculum, which prompts the question; if Ireland won't foster a sense of Iri...

In this episode, Niall is asking: If The Abortion Referendum Was Run Again, Would You Vote The Same? The latest abortion figures released by the Government reveal that 10,033 abortions took place in Ireland in 2023, meaning 1 in 6 pregnancies end in abortion. Niall opens up the lines to callers to discuss whether they would change their vote if the 2018 repeal abortion referendum were held again....

In this episode, Niall delves into whether the EU Migration Pact benefits Ireland. The legislation recently passed in the Dáil by a narrow margin, with 79 TDs voting in favor and 72 against. The government argues that the pact will enhance Ireland’s asylum system, but opposition TDs have raised concerns about potential erosion of sovereignty and the risk of financial penalties from the EU. Niall e...

In this episode Niall sits down with Senator Rónán Mullen to discuss some of the most pressing issues in Irish politics. The conversation begins with the recent approval of international surrogacy plans, including both retrospective and future arrangements. Senator Mullen, who has been a strong opponent of the legislation, expresses his concerns about the commercialization of women's reproductive...

In this episode, Niall explores the question: Should Illegal Economic Migrants Be Allowed To Stay In Ireland? The discussion stems from a piece in Gript Media reporting on Irish Times journalist Kitty Holland's comments that many NGO staff working with asylum seekers are aware that significant numbers of economic migrants are deliberately posing as asylum seekers to enter the country. Niall highli...

In this episode, Niall asks, "Is It Okay to Discipline Someone Else's Child?" The discussion stems from a listener's dilemma about whether it was appropriate to intervene and discipline another child who was bullying their own child at school. Niall opens up the lines to callers, sparking a lively debate. Some callers strongly believe it's acceptable to step in when another child is misbehaving, e...

In this episode, Niall asks, "Do You Support The Aer Lingus Strike?" The discussion revolves around the ongoing industrial action by Aer Lingus pilots demanding a 24% pay increase to offset inflation since their last raise in 2019. The strike has already begun affecting flights, with more disruptions expected soon. The Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA) argues that the pay raise is justifie...

In this episode, Niall is asking, "Do You Have An Objection To People Bringing Dogs Into Bars?" The topic arises from an email from a listener who was denied entry to a beer garden with their dog. The listener shared their experience and expressed frustration about not being able to enjoy time with their pet in a social setting. This has sparked a debate about whether dogs should be allowed in bar...