Claim OwnershipBehind the Story
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Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest some of the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests and maybe even some laughs along the way.
Email: behindthestory@rte.ie
New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
125 Episodes
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House buyers who bid on properties in open or online auctions are pushing prices up more than they can afford. Bidders in sealed auctions pay less and don't go beyond their budget. A new report by ESRI examines the behaviour of bidders in different house buying systems. Professor Pete Lunn joins Fran and Maggie to explain the research and the psychology at play when someone is bidding on a property. Later, Dr Kathryn Simpson of Keele University analyses the mounting pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer following two resignations from his political staff in the last twenty hour hours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the Winter Olympics gets underway in Italy, RTE Sport's Eamon Horan joins Fran and Laura to discuss the Irish hopefuls at the games and the controversy around penis injections in ski jumping! Later, Assistant Lecturer in Global Business at TUD, Richard Woodward, discusses the ongoing ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sporting competitions. FIFA and the IOC signalled this week they support lifting the ban on the two countries for future games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new survey from the University of Limerick Student Union found 60% of commuter students travelled more than one hour each way to campus during the last academic year. Commuting is having a substantial impact on students’ academic performance, financial security and wellbeing.Dervla Ryan, Diversity & Inclusion Officer at UL Students’ Union, discusses the survey – and what needs to be done to change things.Lucy Fisher of the Financial Times also joins Fran and Laura to outline the growing pressure on UK PM Keir Starmer over Peter Mandelson relationship with disgraced former financier Jeffrey Epstein. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A bitter row has broken out over the last week between farmer organisations and the Chair of Bord Bia, but what's it all about? Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent Aengus Cox joins Fran to explain what's going on and why he believes both sides have become entrenched in their positions. Later, Editor of Travel Extra, Eoghan Corry discusses the proposed changes to the ESTA visa waiver scheme which could affect tourists and World Cup fans travelling to the US this summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Slaney and Dodder rivers burst their banks and flooded surrounding areas following subtantial rainfall over the past few days. And while the clean up has begun, more rain in expected over the next 24 hours. Could the flooding have been predicted? and are there nature based solutions that could help prevent floods. Professor of Geography at TCD, Mary Bourke joins Fran and Karen to explain how nature could help prevent some of the worst flooding, she rules out the use of beavers, the aquatic animals being used in other countries! Later, Fran and Karen discuss the CCPC's new guidelines around tipping and technology! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Officials in US President Donald Trump's administration continue to defend the fatal shooting on Saturday of a man by immigration agents in Minneapolis, even as video evidence contradicts their version of events.Alex Pretti, who worked as an intensive care nurse, is the second US citizen to be fatally shot by ICE this month in Minneapolis.Niall Stanage, White House columnist with The Hill, joins Fran and Karen from Washington DC to discuss the official response to the shooting and the uncertainty, fear and stress the actions of ICE are having on communities across the US.Later, Business and Technology correspondent Brian O’Donovan popped in to discuss the latest EU investigation into Grok.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the man who murdered Dublin woman Marilyn Rynn in December 1995 is released from prison, author and crime journalist Barry Cummins details the investigation into her murder and the role DNA played in helping Gardaí identify David Lawler as her killer.Barry's been chatting to Fran and Karen about the case that gripped the country in the early days of 1996.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As President Trump continues to make demands, newly minted Washington Correspondent, Jackie Fox joins Fran and Fiona to discuss the US President's extraordinary speech at Davos this afternoon. Later, the duo are joined by business correspondent Fergal O'Brien who sat in on the Ryanair press conference today. Michael O'Leary took aim at the world's richest man, Elon Musk [again] as he launched the Ryanair 'idiots seat sale, while thanking Musk for the publicity! This morning, at the health committee, the lack of services for people with eating disorders was discussed, Paula Crotty of Cared Ireland shared her experience of losing her adult daughter to anorexia. [Cared Ireland can be contacted at caredireland@gmail.com] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As US President Donald Trump issued tariff threats on 8 European countries, Fran [yes, he's back] and Karen speak to Chief Economist with the Institute of European Affairs, Dan O'Brien. The tariff threats are retaliation for the countries disagreeing with Trump's demand to own Greenland. Dan explains the impact of the previous round of tariffs and says that there's comes a time when economics needs to take a backseat when the territorial integrity of a member state is at risk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Earlier this week, it was reported that China's trade surplus has reached $1.9 trillion last year, a 20% increase on 2024. As China exports continue to grow, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs correspondent Aengus Cox joins Evelyn and Karen to discuss his recent trip to China and what it was like to be stopped by police in Shanghai. Later, reporter Julieanne Corr of the Sunday Times discusses the increasing use of ketamine in Ireland and the side effects of the drug. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Senior Gardaí appeared at the Oireachtas media committee today where they revealed they are investigated two hundred complaints about Grok AI and child abuse imagery. Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins Evelyn and Karen to discuss the committee hearing, which politicians are leaving X and if the authorities are playing catch up with AI developments. Later, retired architect, David O'Connor explains the history of the construction of Dublin City Council buildings and why he believes more needs to be done to examine staying on the site rather than vacating it for new offices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at the Golden Globes for her performance in 'Hamnet', an adaptation of the best selling book of the same name by Coleraine born author Maggie O'Farrell. Evelyn O'Rourke and Maggie Doyle discuss the win, what it means for Irish acting talent and if this could be the start of even more awards for the actress from Killarney. Later, the duo are joined by Professor Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics to discuss Iran and the ongoing protests in the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A majority of EU States voted to pass the Mercosor trade deal with South American countries. Ireland, along with 4 other countries voted against the deal. Professor John O'Brennan of Maynooth University joins Evelyn O'Rourk to explain the deal, Ireland's position and why it's not over the line just yet. Later, Dara Tallon, producer of 'On The Beat' - the fly on the wall TV documentary following on duty Gardaí reveals the secrets of the production and what it's like to go on a drugs raid with the force. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government is hoping to attract more tourists here from India, the UAE and the Asia-Pacific region as part of a new strategic investment plan of €4.7 billion across a range of sectors. Political Correspondent Mícheál Lehane joined Evelyn and Karen to outline what's in the plan and looks at the changing political mood around climate targets. Later, teacher and researcher Eoghan Cleary explains the growing concern around Grok AI's feature that 'undresses' people and the rise of so called 'nudification apps'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ousted President Maduro was brought to court in New York this afternoon to face drugs and weapons charges. Meanwhile, it remains unclear who is really running Venezuela amidst claims by President Trump that the US is in charge. The UN Security Council is meeting in an emergency session as the American administration continues to threaten other countries including Greenland saying it needs to annex the country for 'national security' reasons. Host Karen Creed is joined by Assistant Professor in the History of War at UCD, Ed Burke to discuss the unprecedented situation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With less than six months to the kick off of the World Cup, Fran is joined by sports reporter, Miguel Delaney for a deep dive into how FIFA operates and asks who is Gianni Infantino. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kneecap, Traitors, Adolescence and the Eurovision, just some of the big entertainment stories that hit the headlines this year. Streaming continues to grow and threatens to upend how we watch and enjoy movies. Actors unions and the big studios are concern about the future. Despite this, it was a good year for Irish musicians, actors and production companies.Fran talks to Arts and Media Correspondent Evelyn O’Rourke and Entertainment Journalist Alan Corr as they pick out their highs and lows of 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Concerns around US tariffs dominated the first half of the year in 2025. While on the domestic front, the debate around working from home continued as many businesses insisted their employees return to the workplace. The school secretaries strike was one of the year's big industrial actions and the challenges of meeting housing targets were never far from the headlines. RTÉ's Brian O’Donovan and David Murphy sit down with Fran McNulty to tease out the stories that shaped the economic and business this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the year comes to an end, Fran takes a look back at some of the stories on artificial intelligence that were covered on the podcast. From new guidelines, AI music, technology in schools and AI therapy chatbots, the technology continues to challenge and upend many industries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dáil rows, Trump's tariff threats and a Presidential campaign: Professor Gary Murphy of DCU and political reporter Sandra Hurley join Fran to dissect and analyse the year in politics. The trio discuss the emergence of Michael Lowry TD as a power broker in government formation and the decision by Sinn Féin to back Independent TD Catherine Connolly for the run at the Áras which she ultimately won. The trio also take a look into the new year and the prospect to two by-elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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