Behind the Story

How do our security forces manage the murky cyber threats that have dominated the headlines as we approach the largest gathering of world leaders Ireland has ever hosted? On this episode, we talk to former chief of staff of the Defence Mark Mellett on the spate of recent cyber threats and the scale of the security operation involved in hosting two major EU summits on Thursday and Friday. And those...

Arrests were made after a brawl broke out at an influencer organised boxing event in Kilkenny at the weekend. Far right activist Tommy Robinson attended the event which led to a fight breaking out outside the ring. Reporter Christopher Dunne with the Kilkenny People joins Karen Creed to explain what happened.  Later, business reporter with The Currency, Tom Lyons outlines what is known about...

Several Irish media outlets received bomb threats on Friday which coincided with more aviation threats. Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke joins Fran and Eamon to explain what happened at the Donnybrook site.  Later, Charlie Taylor, Technology Editor with the Business Post discusses the fall in tech stocks and how the Tech Bros may need to broaden their political allegiences following the De...

Democrats are celebrating massive wins in the US mid term elections while Trump and the Republic Party reel from the size of the losses. Justin McCarthy joins Paul from Washington to talk about election night and how things unfolded.  Later, Michael Ricci, Prof of Public Policy at Georgetown University analyses the results, what this win means and whether the MAGA movement is in decline.&nbsp...

Despite days of negotiations, the public sector pay talks collapsed and Unions plan a 24 hour strike on Thursday Nov 12th. Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins Karen Creed to explain what happened and why the government is under more pressure now.  Later, Martime Operations Manager with Customs, Andrew Ryan speaks about one of the most dramatic drug seizures in the history...

Kevin Bakhurst, RTÉ's Director General joins Fran and Paul for a wide ranging interview following the sudden withdrawal of €20 million from the broadcaster's budget for 2027.  Mr Bakhurst discusses his shock at the funding cut but expresses confidence a solution will be reached. Fran and Paul quiz the DG on Ireland, Israel and the Eurovision, Ger Gilroy's new podcast, Fair City and license fe...

Voters turned out in their highest numbers in decades in an election that was described as make-or-break for Israel, but provisional results suggested no clear path to power for either Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot. On this episode, Alexander Cornwell, senior correspondent for Reuters in Tel Aviv joined Paul Cunningham to explain the political fallout, what...

Although President Trump is not on the ballot paper, the US midterm elections will decide how the final phase of his presidency will play out.  And there is a lot at stake as Democrats try to win majority control of the US Congress. On this episode, Dan Geary - Mark Pigott Professor in U.S. History at Trinity College Dublin – guides us through what is happening, where to watch and what it all...

Israel's general election takes place next week, the first since the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Our Deputy Foreign Editor Heaphy talks to us from Tel Aviv, on what many see as the most pivotal elections in Israel's history, with global implications. Later, RTÉ’s GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey takes Eamon Horan through the proposed rule changes in hurling.  See omnystudio.c...

Iarnród Eireann's scrapped IT project is back in the headlines, when it was revealed today that Indra, the company contracted to do the work, is seeking €30m as part of final accounts. Public Policy correspondent with the Irish Times, Martin Wall, joins Paul to explain the background to the failed project and what the plan is to rescue it.  Later, Security analyst, Declan Power discusses the...

Violent protests and looting spread across several cities in France over the weekend, as over a half a million people took to the streets on a wide variety of issues. The authorities plan to implement localised curfews in some areas to deal with the deteriorating situation. Senior lecturer in European Politics at UCC, Emmanuelle Schon Quinlivan joins Paul to explain the background to the crisis.&n...

Award winning author Sally Rooney's books will no longer be available for sale in the UK due to her support for Palestine Action. Human rights lawyer, Caoilfhoinn Gallagher joins Fran to discuss the situation and why sweeping anti-terrorism legislation is having a far reaching impact on protest and culture.  Later, Arts and Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke goes behind the scenes of NBC's T...

Big Tech, Big Business and lots of politicians are attending the International AI Summit at the RDS. Fran and Paul are joined by Bloomberg's Tom MacKenzie to discuss AI in Europe.   Later, Liz Carolan of The Briefing.ie and Charlie Taylor of the Business Post chat about the ups and downs of AI, dress codes and bad merch!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After five and a half years of illegal detention in Iraq, Robert Pether landed in Dublin airport on Monday morning. He was greeted by family and friends and spoke of his time in a Baghdad prison and subsequent struggle to survive before he was allowed leave the country.  His lawyer, Irish man Peter Griffin, took up his case, pro-bono in 2021 having heard about Robert's case in his son's schoo...

The decision by the US Defence Department to live stream the execution of a man convicted of murdering thirteen unarmed soldiers at a military post in Texas in 2009 has sparked global headlines. The Pentagon announced earlier this week it would execute Nidal Hasan in December in the first military execution for more than 60 years. On this episode of Behind The Story we talk to death row lawyer Cli...

IVF services have expanded dramatically over the last few decades. Infertility treatments are widely promoted but concerns are mounting over how effective and/or safe some of these 'add-ons' are.  RTÉ Investigates Deputy Editor Aoife Hegarty joins Paul to discuss 'Fertility Uncovered' documentary that includes stories of couples trying to have a baby and also looks at public funding for IVF.&...

Ministers Harris and Chambers unveiled Budget 27 in the Dáil this afternoon. Income tax changes, welfare increases, carbon tax paused, just some of the headline announcements but will there be any more money in your pocket when inflation is taken into account?  Chief Economist with Deloitte Ireland, Kate English joins Fran and Paul on a whistlestop tour of the key points of the budget. &...

From next month, another new charge will come into effect on goods bought outside the EU. The €2 'union handling fee' will be implemented on Nov 1st, this is in addition to the €3 customs charge that had applied since July. Consumer Affairs correspondent Aengus Cox joins Fiona Mitchell to explain the new fees and how customers may not be aware of the new charges.  Later, Chief Royal Correspon...

Protein water? protein cereal or how about protein infused vodka? Protein products are everywhere but earlier this week the Bank of America issued a warning to the food industry that the protein craze could have peaked.  Dietician Sarah Keogh and RTE business desk reporter Adam Maguire join Fran to discuss the products, proteinmaxxing, who's making money and how much protein does a person rea...

Thousands of public sector workers began a work to rule in protest at the government's reluctance to talk pay! Teachers, nurses and other sectors are threatening further strike action in the coming weeks. Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins Paul to explain what's going on.  Later, hacking, leaking and dishonesty at the heart of one of the Premier League's biggest clubs. Fo...

The stand-off between protestors and the Orange Order continues on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. Sinn Fein and the DUP clash over the proposed parade with the row threatening to collapse the power sharing executive at Stormont. Host Karen Creed is joined by Prof Deirdre Heenan to analyse the situaton.  Later, Political Editor with the Examiner, Elaine Loughlin discusses the online bidding p...

The Republic of Ireland are due to play Israel on Sunday in the Nations League tournament in Hungary but pressure continues to mount on the players and the FAI to pull out of the fixture. Fran and Eamon discuss the increasingly tense situation as more protests are planned this weekend against the games.   Later, UCD Lecturer in Politics Graham Finlay discuss the speeches made at the Unit...

A cancer diagnosis can cost far more than many patients expect. Cancer survivor Aoife Murphy and Irish Cancer Society CEO Nikki Gallagher join Paul Cunningham to reveal how falling incomes and mounting medical and travel expenses can leave families facing a financial crisis alongside treatment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research by Safefood shows that 12% of 15-24 years old consume an energy drink once a day. Support is also growing for age restrictions on the sugar and caffeine rich drinks. Dietician Sarah Keogh joins Maggie Doyle to discuss the findings and explains why caffeine is linked to sport performance.  Later, Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan outlines why tech giant Google has...

Emmy award winning actor, producer and comedian Chris Addison joins Paul and Evelyn to discuss his new comedy drama, Tall Tales and Murder. Chris, who is also known for playing 'Ollie Reeder' in the cult TV show, The Thick of it, chats political satire in a Trump dominated world, Nigel Farage and why audiences like a bit of dark comedy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...