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The Group Chat

The Group Chat

Author: Virgin Media News

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A weekly news podcast from Virgin Media Television featuring correspondents Gavan Reilly, Zara King and Richard Chambers. Join the gang every Thursday as they discuss the latest and breaking news from Ireland and around the world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

172 Episodes
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This week on The Group Chat: Sky News Special Correspondent Alex Crawford tells us about reporting from the battle frontlines. And, Ireland’s media minister talks tough about online safety.Plus, world Excel champion Diarmuid Early finds that winning formula. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat: A major new plan to cut red tape and speed up infrastructure.A wartime leader pays a historic visit to Ireland. Plus, what's the story behind those cringe videos that politicians keep posting online? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat:Is Donald Trump being played by Russia in the latest bid to end the war in Ukraine? TikTok coming under more pressure to protect young users from harmful content on the platform. Plus, the Cork farmer who's vowed to track down the cattle rustlers who stole some of his prized herd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat:Paschal Donohoe's departure prompts a partial reshuffle, but how big of a blow is it for the Government?Ivan Yates defends giving training and commentary on the presidential election. Plus, following the play-off draw that sees the Republic of Ireland away to Czechia, is it too soon to dream? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat:Is it fair to describe the Government's new housing plan as more of the same? The Catherine Connolly presidency has officially started, so what can we expect? And, just over one month on what's happening with the Gaza ceasefire? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat, the tensions flare in the Dáil over the debate around asylum seekers and immigration.And, new battle lines are drawn as New York elects a socialist mayor.Plus, the race for the Áras and the fallout over media training. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat, we unpack the fallout from Ireland’s presidential election. Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as our tenth Head of State next month after a resounding victory, but what does her win mean for Fianna Fáil and Michael Martin? We also explore whether the left’s newfound unity behind Connolly can last until the next general election. Tune in for insight, analysis, and debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On The Group Chat, we unpack two nights of unrest in Citywest, a day of high emotion as five members of Josef Puska’s family are jailed, and the story of 14 families from the same estate all facing eviction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat, we cover a massive breakthrough in Gaza, with the world looking on as a landmark, Donald Trump-brokered peace deal was signed. Among those affected are people who fled here to escape the war.A fragile ceasefire is holding in Gaza, but with many potential pitfalls ahead, we explore the feelings of those who fled here and still have loved ones back home.Polling day moves closer in the Presidential Election, with Catherine Connolly the clear frontrunner. What does Heather Humphreys need to do to close the big gap in the final week of campaigning?And we’ll also be reflecting on MTV, which provided the pictures and the sounds for our youth, as we mourn the planned closure of a number of its channels at the end of the year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The world watches closely after a major breakthrough in Gaza — but will it hold? Back home, Micheál Martin faces unrest within Fianna Fáil over the Jim Gavin controversy, while government TDs return to their constituencies to sell Budget 2026. Plus, Rolling Stone releases its list of the 250 best songs of the last 25 years - do you agree with their picks? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat:Donald Trump once again dominated global headlines with a fiery address to the UN General Assembly in New York, taking aim at climate change, immigration, and even the UN itself – before sparking a medical storm by pushing an unproven link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism.Back home, Ireland’s presidential election campaign is officially underway. With Maria Steen falling just short in her bid for a place on the ballot, and only three candidates confirmed, the smallest field in decades, can the race ignite or is it already fizzling out? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sinn Féin is about to make a “gamechanger” move on the presidential election this weekend, keeping the race for the Áras buzzing. Will Gareth Sheridan make it onto the ballot through the council route? Could other independents join him? Conor McGregor has already pulled out, and Simon Harris says good riddance.In Donabate, a four-year search has ended in heartbreak, with gardai believing they’ve found the remains of Daniel Aruebose.On the international stage, a damning UN report, mounting EU pressure, and cultural and sporting isolation put Israel’s actions in Gaza under a microscope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat, we look at the rise of political violence at home and abroad. In the US, the shooting dead of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through politics, while here, the Tánaiste has revealed threats made against him. We ask what this climate means for democracy and public life. Plus, with Ireland’s World Cup dreams in tatters once again, are fans destined to watch from the sidelines rather than the stands? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Group Chat is back with a brand-new season! Zara King, Richard Chambers and Gavan Reilly cut through the noise of the week’s headlines — from the crawling Race for the Áras, to the tough road ahead for new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, and the squeeze of rising grocery prices on households across Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
🎪 The Group Chat live at Electric Picnic!Taken from a segment of The Group Chat's live podcast at EP, the team discuss Fontaines D.C, Kneecap, CMAT and Sally Rooney using their platform to speak on Gaza and why Ireland’s biggest cultural voices aren’t just shaping art - they’re shaping politics too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Donald Trump now the Daddy of NATO? And have New York Democrats found the formula to beat a candidate picked by a Trump administration? Plus, we share some surprising and memorable moments with retiring RTÉ legend Joe Duffy as he signs off from Liveline. All that and more in the final episode of season 7 of The Group Chat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of The Group Chat, Professor Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics joins us to explain how the Iran-Israel conflict escalated so fast — and what could happen next. We also explore what government insiders are really saying about the housing crisis, and ask if €250 million is just too much for one Euromillions winner in Cork.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of The Group Chat, the government faces growing scrutiny over its plans to expand Rent Pressure Zones nationwide ahead of the Dáil's summer break. We also discuss mounting questions for An Garda Síochána following their handling of several high-profile cases—from the shooting in Carlow to developments in the Tina Satchwell and Michael Gaine investigations. Plus, what’s next for Gaza after the interception of the Madleen aid flotilla? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Group Chat, we are joined in studio by actor Liam Cunningham to discuss the Gaza flotilla.We take an in-depth look back at the trial of Richard Satchwell with Virgin Media News courts correspondent Deborah Nayor. Plus, we examine the online fallout from the shooting incident in Carlow last weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of The Group Chat, Stephen Breen from The Irish Sun joins the panel to discuss the first extradition of a member of the Kinahan crime gang. We examine what exactly is Ireland’s role in fundraising for Israel’s war campaign in Gaza, and whether RTÉ should be spending money on outside agencies for its own internal ads. All that and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Comments (5)

John Harry

"Finland sounds like an amazing travel destination! The government’s rent policies could make it even more accessible. By the way, has anyone checked out the latest updates on https://aepds-bihar.co/ AEPDS Bihar? It might be useful for planning budgets. Thanks for sharing!"

Aug 7th
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Viv O'Connor

Great podcasts from #theGroupChat always entertaining with their take on the #hottopics of the week as well as the interplay between Zara Richards & Gavan - feels like you're listening in to 3 mates chatting in the pub!

Jun 29th
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Paula Mc Donnell

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May 23rd
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Viv O'Connor

another terrific episode Well done. noteworthy news stories covered in a great way by Gavin, Richard & Zara. 5 Star 5️⃣⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jun 2nd
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Viv O'Connor

Great podcast - 5star! Really work well together and bounce off each other on all topics - but Gavin is definitely up there as a true Eurovision buff.

May 12th
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