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.
107 Episodes
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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.
Twenty four hours on from the publication of the Fianna Fáil report into their Presidential campaign, Fran and Barry dissect the reaction to the report and examine the pressure on Party leader Michéal Martin. Later, reporter Kate Varley joins the duo and chats about her recent trip to Bangladesh. Kate visited Cox's Bazaar, home to 1.3million Rohinyga refugees and explains how recent aid cuts are beginning to take effect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pressure is mounting on Fianna Fáil to release the report into the Jim Gavin Presidential campaign. Three senior party members said today that the report must come out this week. Joe Mag Raollaigh joins Fran to tease out the timeframe around the report and explain why the pressure is building inside the party. Later, Fran is joined by Europe reporter for Euronews, Shona Murray to discuss the ongoing talks around the Ukraine war and the positive noise coming from the Ukraine side in Berlin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Uisce Éireann announced that it will submit plans for the country's largest ever water project next week. The plan involves building a 170km underground pipe to take water from the Shannon and bring it to Dublin and surrounding counties. Environment correspondent, George Lee joins Fran to explain the project, why it's necessary and why there is opposition to it. Later, Fran is joined by reporter, Catherine Eillis who discusses what's happening in Venezuela and outlines some of the detail of the opposition leader María Corina Machado daring escape to collect the Nobel Peace Prize. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
RTÉ's Director General, Kevin Bakhurst and the leadership team appeared at the Oireachtas media committee today to give an update on developments at the broadcaster. Fran and Barry Lenihan discuss the issues politicians were keen to get answers on including whether Mr Bakhurst was invited to Ryan Tubridy's wedding! Later, Adam Maguire joins Fran and Barry to explain the other big media story of the past few days; Netflix's attempt to buy Warner Brothers and whether the deal could impact the price of subscriptions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gardaí have described the fatal attack on a family home in Edenderry as 'callous, reckless and murderous'. Mary Holt and her four year old grand nephew died in a fire that was started deliberately on Saturday night. Investigating Gardaí are saying one line of inquiry is that an organised drug gang may have targeted the house in a case of drug debt intimidation. Limerick based Addiction counsellor, Michael Guerin joins Fran and Maggie to discuss the wider issue of drug use and the impact drug debt and intimidation can have on people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US military and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth are under pressure over the killing of 11 people during a boat strike on Sept. 2nd. Louise Byrne and Cian McCormack are joined by Niall Stanage of The Hill who explains the controversy and why the administration is standing firm on it's policy of attacking so-called 'narco-terrorists. Later, Cian and Louise reveal their listening age on Spotify Wrapped. John Meagher of the Irish Independent discuss 'Wrapped' and why we like to appear 'cool' with our listening age! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The country's most famous road is officially at capacity but can anything be done to improve journey times on the M50? Reporter Conor McMorrow joins Fran and Maggie to outline the issues with the M50 and reveal a few interesting facts such as why there is no junction 8! Later, Assistant Professor and Architect Orla Hegarty of UCD joins the duo to explain the government new report - 'Acclerating Infrastructure' which outlines actions to speed up the delivery of critical projects. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the weekend, the government confirmed President Zelensky will visit Dublin on Tuesday. Political editor, Joe Mag Raollaigh joins Jackie Fox to outline the visit and explains the security operation that has swung into place. Later, Jackie speaks to Christopher Miller of the Financial Times who is in Kyiv, he explains how the leaked details of the peace talks are being received by the Ukranian public and outlines the corruption scandal that is dominating the headlines in the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Earlier this week, Enoch Burke was jailed for the fourth time since 2022 for contempt of court. He appeared by videolink from Mountjoy today to listen to the latest decisions in relation to his case. Legal Affairs correspondant, Orla O'Donnell joins Fran on hosting duties and together the duo speak with Bernard Dunleavy SC about contempt and the challenge of the Burke family's continued disruption of court proceedings. Later, Orla and Fran discuss reports that people are posting on social less and less! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, the government announced a scoping inquiry into abuse by former surgeon Michael Shine. Shine was found guilty of child abuse in 2019 and released from prison three years ago, however it is believed he abused hundreds of children and young men over his thirty years as a medical doctor. Reporter Saoirse McGarrigle joins Fran and Laura to discuss the case and how she met and interviewed Shine in his kitchen in Dublin in May of this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Trump is sounding positive about the talks to bring about peace in Ukraine, however President Zelensky says borders cannot be changed by force. How realistic is the so called 28 point plan tabled by the US? Fran is joined by Keir Giles, an expert in Russia at Chatham House think tank, to discuss the latest proposals and whether a deal could be reached by the US deadline of Thanksgiving. Later, consumer affairs correspondant, Aengus Cox explains the new law which is coming into affect this week that sets down rules around access to cash via ATMs in rural areas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Award winning Producer-Director Trevor Birney speaks to Fran about his new two part TV documentary, DJ Carey: The Dodger. Trevor, who produced critically acclaimed films including Kneecap and Quinn Country explains what attracted him to the DJ story. Trevor believes there are many more victims of Carey's fraud and that the full impact of his lies may never been known.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Police authorities across Europe including Ireland have undercovered a massive money laundering network that included buying a bank! Crime correspondent, Paul Reynolds joins Fran and Aisling to explain how the network operated and how the Kinahan organised crime group are involved. Later, as Black Friday deals ramp up, sustainability expert, Laura Costello discusses how advertising is pushing consumers to buy more and more, but there are small signs things are changing, second hand websites are becoming more popular and 'de-influencing' is becoming a 'thing'!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Podcasts and conflicts of interest were under the microscope at the Dáil media committee today. Political reporter, Juilette Gash joins Fran and Aisling to discuss Ivan Yates, the media regulator and the possibility that podcasts might be subject to new media rules. Later, the duo are joined by Clean Energy lecturer, Paul Deane of UCC, to tease out whether small nuclear reactors could be the answer to the country's future power supply. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jackie Fox and Aisling Kenny are joined by former Democratic Governor Howard Dean to discuss JFK's grandson, Jack Schlossberg entry into political life. Jackie also reveals the story behind how she came across Troy Parrott's granny on Portland Row. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US military continues to build up forces off the coast of Venezuela, but what is really going on there? Professor of International Politics, Scott Lucas joins Evelyn O'Rourke and Maggie Doyle to explain what is happening in the region and why it's possible, the so called war on narco-terrorists is really a pretext for regime change. Later, Evelyn and Maggie discuss the Tik Tok awards and how podcasts could soon make an appearance on the platform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ahead of the release of the government's housing plan, Fran and Laura take at look at what is known so far and reel back the years on previous housing plans. Later, as EU Commissioner Michael McGrath announces his flagship policy: the Democracy Shield, Europe Editor, Tony Connelly joins the hosts to explain what the so called 'shield' is and how it might work to combat disinformation and protect democracies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two senior executives at the BBC have resigned over an edited clip used in a Panorama documentary about Trump and the Capitol Hill riots. But, what exactly happened inside the BBC over the past few days? and why is Trump now threatened legal action and demanding an apology? Reporter Enda Brady joins Fran and Aisling to explain what is going on and why it has become such a huge problem for the world's largest broadcaster. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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