After weeks of what felt like endless speculation, the Taoiseach Simon Harris finally put us out of our misery last week (with a bit of a jump on him by Micheál Martin) and announced that the election will take place on Friday 29 November. Since then, the posters went up in jig time and every party has been out campaigning with gusto. There’s not a baby not kissed or a chance to jive missed since last week. We're joined by Dr Brendan Flynn, assistant professor and head of discipline in Political...
Nov 14, 2024•37 min
You likely saw the images from Dublin city centre last week: hundreds of people lining O’Connell Street on Halloween night, all eagerly awaiting a promised parade. It soon became apparent that something was amiss… there was no parade and these people had been duped by online misinformation. The Journal’s FactCheck Editor Stephen McDermott joins us to examine how this happened, and how the rise of 'AI slop' has created a breeding ground for this type of content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...
Nov 05, 2024•22 min
We’re joined by our own political columnist, Larry Donnelly who is a law lecturer at the University of Galway, to check in on the final days of the race for the White House. Trump and Harris have duked it out across the US in recent weeks in an attempt to woo voters, but the polls continue to indicate that this race is closer than ever. So what is making voters tick right now? What do they want to see in a candidate, and what will be on their minds as they cast their votes? Hosted on Acast. See ...
Oct 31, 2024•27 min
We're joined by Dr Shelley Deane, researcher at DCU’s School of Law and Government, to examine the deepening crisis in southern Lebanon following Israel's invasion. The UN has maintained a presence in the region since the late 1970s and members of the Irish Defence Forces continue to play a significant role in that mission. They are now under almost unprecedented threat. Israel's focus is on eliminating Hezbollah, but in doing so has launched a series of attacks on UN peacekeeping positions. Wha...
Oct 25, 2024•35 min
If asked to name some things we know about Nepal, most of us would probably say Mount Everest. The next might actually be landslides. The country is plagued by them. They can often be deadly, killing people, destroying homes and villages and disappearing entire road networks. Because of their prevalence in Nepal, there has to be constant vigilance and massive preparedness for when they actually happen. On this week's episode — supported by the European Union’s Department for Civil Protection and...
Oct 15, 2024•35 min
One of the most successful BBC TV shows, Strictly Come Dancing, is back on air for its 20th year after it was rocked by a summer of in-house scandals. An investigation into harmful work practices was launched by the BBC when two of Strictly's two professional dancers, Italians Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, were accused of bullying and inappropriate behaviour during rehearsal sessions. Both men denied the accusations, but pressure mounted on the BBC to take action after other former cel...
Oct 10, 2024•18 min
The Budget has been dubbed a giveaway — but will it really make that much of a difference to your pocket? Barra Roantree from TCD's Department of Economics joins us to examine whether the tax decreases and once-off payments will help those who need it the most and how there is a chance it could add fuel to an overheating economy. Who stands to gain from the changes, and what were the most interesting new measures introduced? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 03, 2024•20 min
Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Diddy, Love or Sean Combs — many of us would have grown up with the numerous names of that rapper over the last 30 years or so. The 54-year-old music producer, businessman and global celebrity is in federal custody in the United States, awaiting trial for a number of serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. The charges come on the back of a broad federal investigation of Combs and his associates over a number of years. To look at what exactly the charges ...
Sep 27, 2024•24 min
The 42's Gavin Cooney joins us to examine where it all went wrong for Casement Park. The redevelopment of one of Northern Ireland's largest stadiums was on the table until the UK government pulled the plug on promised funding. Will Northern Ireland still have a role when the UK and Ireland host the Euros in 2028? And is there still hope for those who want to see the stadium returned to its former glory?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism i...
Sep 19, 2024•24 min
The village of Dundrum in Co Tipperary has been the site of protests and division in recent months over the housing of international protection applicants. To look at exactly is happening on the ground — and, after similar incidents elsewhere, what the government can learn from the approach it has taken — we're by our reporter Eoghan Dalton, who has reported extensively from Dundrum in recent months.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in I...
Sep 13, 2024•32 min
To look at what emergencies can tell us about how connected, or not, our healthcare systems are, we're joined on this week's episode of The Explainer by Jean Paul Jemmy, a health expert specialising in nutrition with European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. He has been a humanitarian worker for the last three decades with direct experience in healthcare in conflict-affected areas across the world such as Syria, Iraq, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hosted on Acast...
Sep 07, 2024•26 min
The numbers alone stopped the country in its tracks this week: 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse of children in schools run by religious orders. 844 alleged abusers. 308 schools. 42 religious orders. A new report revealed stories of abuse across many schools. But how are we back here again? And has enough changed to stop it from happening again? We're joined by Dr Joe Mooney, an assistant professor of social work at University College Dublin who has a specific focus on child protection, and our ...
Sep 05, 2024•23 min
Tech journalist and author Chris Stokel-Walker joins us to examine what's going on with messaging app Telegram and its owner Pavel Durov. Telegram is touted as a secure, privacy-focused app, and while that is appealing to many and useful in countries where free speech is curtailed, it has also led to the platform being used as a base for a range of illegal content and activities. Durov was arrested in connection in France and is now under formal investigation.The Explainer is brought to you by T...
Aug 30, 2024•25 min
This week, The Journal has published a series of in-depth interviews with a number of victims of convicted paedophile, Michael Shine. Editor Sinéad O'Carroll joins to explain why they are waiving their anonymity to call for a public inquiry.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at w...
Aug 22, 2024•26 min
Arts writer and Sunday Times columnist Aoife Barry joins us to explore the world of Kneecap. The bilingual hip hop trio are surging in popularity, changing attitudes towards the Irish language while drawing both praise and consternation (depending on which Northern Irish tradition you talk to) along the way. Now, with the release of their semi-fictional biopic, they're set to make an even bigger mark on the international stage.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access...
Aug 15, 2024•25 min
As Ireland takes home what seems to be an ever-growing pile of medals, the Olympics has also been navigating a headline-grabbing controversy in the world of women's boxing. Two boxers were deemed ineligible to box at the World Boxing Championships last year are competing at the Games in Paris. On this week's episode, we're joined by sportswriter with The 42, Gavin Cooney, who is currently covering the Olympics from Paris and has been taking an extensive look at what exactly is going on.The Expla...
Aug 07, 2024•26 min
Senator Tom Clonan, a retired army officer who served as a peacekeeper in Lebanon, joins Lauren Boland on this week's episode to share his insights into the group's history, and what recent escalations mean for the situation on the ground.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www...
Aug 01, 2024•27 min
The world of US politics has evolved dramatically over the past few weeks, with the latest curveball being the decision by Joe Biden to step down as Democratic candidate in the November's election and endorse his vice president, Kamala Harris. How will Trump and the Republican party respond? Larry Donnelly, a law lecturer at the University of Galway and columnist with The Journal, joins us on this week's episode to examine what the next steps could be.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journ...
Jul 24, 2024•20 min
Scott Lucas, professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, UCD and editor-in-chief of EA WorldView, joins us to examine the history of attacks on US presidents - both sitting and former - to gauge what the fallout from the attempted assassination of Donald Trump could be.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investig...
Jul 16, 2024•28 min
This week on The Explainer we hear from The Journal's US columnist Larry Donnelly on his thoughts after the press conference and ask our very own Assistant News Editor Rónán Duffy if Joe Biden can really continue in the election race?This episode was brought to you by senior producer Nicky Ryan, assistant producer Muiris O'Cearbhaill, executive producer Sinéad O'Carroll and presenter Laura Byrne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 12, 2024•20 min
Dominic McGrath, UK correspondent with the Business Post, joins us for an essential overview of the latest in the United Kingdom's seismic election result. Just how much of a hit did the Tories take? And what will the political landscape look like under Keir Starmer?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, exp...
Jul 05, 2024•27 min
Brendan Slattery, a solicitor with McCann Fitzgerald specialising in expert in planning and environmental law joins us to look at 'go-away money' in the Irish planning system. What is it all about? How is it being used? And what might new laws do to stop it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 27, 2024•23 min
Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University John O'Brennan joins us to look at what the next five years hold for Ireland's new or returning MEPs. What will the priorities be for the European Parliament? And where will Irish politicians fit in?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and in...
Jun 20, 2024•26 min
The seats are filled, the dust is settling, and the count centre staff enjoying some well-earned rest. To take stock of where we're at now, Laura Byrne is joined on this week's episode by our Political Editor Christina Finn, and Brendan Flynn, a Head of Political Science at the University of Galway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 14, 2024•38 min
Virgin Media's political correspondent Gavan Reilly sits down with us to explain what exactly proportional representation with a single transferable vote is all about. Do you need to give a preference to every candidate listed on a ballot paper? How and when do preferences beyond your first come into play?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep qu...
Jun 06, 2024•25 min
On 7 June, you'll have the chance to vote in the European elections - but what exactly will the end result be? For the latest in a special series of episodes, The Journal's Muiris O'Cearbhaill and European Movement Ireland CEO Noelle O'Connell join us to look at how the election process works, what exactly an MEP does, and how you should decide on who gets your vote. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 01, 2024•27 min
DCU's Paola Rivetti, an expert in Middle East politics, joins us to look at the fallout from the death of Iran's president in a helicopter crash last week. What role did he play in Iranian society? What does the succession process look like - and is there any scope for a more moderate leader?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, inv...
May 26, 2024•31 min
Presenter Maria Delaney is joined by News Correspondent Órla Ryan who has been leading our year-long ‘Falling Through the Cracks’ investigation into young people with psychosis, which was supported by the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism in Ireland in partnership with Headline, a Shine programme. They're also joined by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Karen O’Connor who is the HSE’s National Clinical Lead for Early Intervention for Psychosis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
May 23, 2024•26 min
Over recent years, Europe has seen a rising trend of severe weather - some of which can be linked to climate change. This means an increasing need for authorities to respond to life-threatening situations. That's where the European Union’s Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), providing support to countries where a crisis overwhelms the resources available locally by pooling the available help. Two experts join us on this week's episode to examine how.The Exp...
May 18, 2024•33 min
We're joined by Dr Barry Colfer, director of research at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), to look back on everything from Ireland's nascent relationship with Europe in the 1970s to the country's treatment during the bailout in the 2010s.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explai...
May 11, 2024•39 min
