When a 53-year-old French woman got scammed by a digital suitor claiming to be Brad Pitt, the consequences were as dramatic as a Hollywood film. The woman, known as ‘Anne’, lost her life savings and ended up the subject of public mockery and abuse. So how did she fall for the imposter and what are the growing risks in looking for love online? Host:…

HMS Maidstone, an ex-Royal Navy Ship, was used in the early 1970s to hold internees. In January 1972, a group of IRA prisoners swam 270 meters through an ice-cold Belfast Lough in a bid to escape, greasing themselves in butter to squeeze out of the ship’s portholes. They then hijacked a double-decker bus before slipping across the border, humiliati…

Depending on who you ask, Trump's impending inauguration is either a win for freedom or a threat to democracy itself. As the US president-elect gears up for his second turn in the Oval Office, we ask: what does it mean for Ireland and the world at large? Host: Tabitha Monahan | Guests: Richard Curran and Larry Donnelly See omnystudio.com/listener f…

Can the proposed ceasefire in Gaza actually last? What are the obstacles still in place that could derail the attempts to bring peace to the region? And just how long might it take to rebuild Gaza? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: John Downing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Af Irish Independent

As white smoke appears over Leinster House this week - who will be the ministers in the incoming government and what role might controversial Independent TD Michael Lowry have had in its formation? Host: Kevin Doyle | Host: Fionnán Sheahan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Af Irish Independent

In December 2005, the O'Brien family set out for what was supposed to be a wonderful holiday to Florida. However, tragedy struck when 15-year-old Lynsey O'Brien fell from the ship's balcony. Her death would shatter the family's life as they knew it. ­ Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Imelda O’Brien See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

A fierce clash between GAA president Jarlath Burns and former Derry manager Rory Gallagher has led to the threat of legal action and a split in public opinion. Was Burns right to raise his concerns about Gallagher’s potential appointment to a new gig? Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Colm Keys, Fionnán Sheahan, and Tessa Fleming See omnystudio.com/listene…

When Robert Holohan went missing in January 2005, the investigation into his disappearance became one of the largest in the history of the state. Volunteers travelled from across the country to help find the 11-year-old boy from Middleton but the truth behind his disappearance lay closer to home. Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the grim co…

We are bringing Indo Daily listeners an episode from The Sunday World's excellent new food and lifestyle podcast 'Under the Grill' this weekend. In each episode Kevin Dundon and Caoimhe Young sit around the kitchen table with some of Ireland’s best loved personalities. Today Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh joins the team in the kitchen in this wee…

Barely a fortnight into 2025 and we're already seeing what must surely be one of the most unlikely showdowns of the year, as Claudine Keane goes head to head with Sinn Féin. She claims that prominent party figures are inciting online “hatred” towards her family, as they attempt to reignite controversy around husband Robbie's short-lived stint at Ma…

When veteran Irish criminal John Gilligan rang in the new year from a Spanish jail, the charges were a far cry from his heyday on Dublin's gangland scene. ?So how does a once-powerful gangster end up implicated in "street level" dealing, why hasn't he been able to pay his bail and, after a life of crime, what's the retirement plan? Host: Kevin Doyl…

X boss and Donald Trump confidante Elon Musk has started the new year in venomous fashion, accusing UK prime minister Keir Starmer of being complicit in “the rape of Britain”, while turning his back on Nigel Farage. Why is he setting his sights on the UK? And will he attempt to further influence Irish politics while he’s at it? Host: Fionnán Sheaha…

Kevin Doyle of the Irish Independent spent the days before Christmas in Temple Street hospital, looking after his five-month-old daughter Carla. His experience – and those of the other struggling parents and children present – has led him to question the protocols in place and declare the still-unopened National Children’s Hospital “too big to fail…

The General Post Office on O’Connell Street is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most significant buildings; as the headquarters of the 1916 rising, the bustling epicenter of 20th century communication and even the point by which the distance to towns and cities across the country were measured. This year, the Dublin landmark faces a milestone of its ow…

Ireland’s housing crisis continues apace, and while many people are struggling to put a roof over their heads, there are those who have exploited the situation for hefty profits. In the case of rogue landlord Christian Carter, an Irish Independent investigation into his operation exposed some shocking stories. This episode was first published in Ju…

Multiple female footballers have claimed they were subjected to unwanted or inappropriate sexual advances from FAI coaches in the 1990s. A number of women have spoken to a joint investigation by the Sunday Independent and RTÉ Investigates to outline a series of harrowing allegations. This second episode looks at the personal stories of these women.…

Multiple female footballers have claimed they were subjected to unwanted or inappropriate sexual advances from FAI coaches in the 1990s. A number of women have spoken to a joint investigation by the Sunday Independent and RTÉ Investigates to outline a series of harrowing allegations. This episode was first published in July 2024. Host: Ellen Coyne …

The University of Limerick (UL) is engulfed in a scandal arising from a €5m overspend on student housing 3km from the college campus. UL wrote to gardaí last month to notify authorities of a possible fraud. The matter is currently the subject of ongoing assessment by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau to see if a criminal investigation is war…

The death of Ian Bailey leaves many unanswered questions in the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Irish Independent journalists Senan Molony and Ralph Riegel share their meetings and stories with Ian Bailey over the past 27 years. This episode was first published in January 2024. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Senan Molony & Ralph Riegel See omny…

He’s the king of renovation-themed television, but Dermot Bannon is under fire as the RTÉ star opted to build first and ask later in the latest episode of Room to Improve. Is the system to blame? And where does Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien fit into this puzzle? This episode was first published in January 2024. Host: Ellen Coyne. Guests: Fionnán…

She’s the new queen of London’s right-wing social scene, counting Nigel Farage and Donald Trump among her friends. Having traded Neighbours and Ramsay Street for a brief crack at Hollywood and pop stardom, Holly Valance has found a new calling – cheering for the radical right. But does she have political ambitions of her own? This episode was first…

In 1988 an unknown German duo called Milli Vanilli released their first song Girl You Know It’s True. Two years later they had sold over 40 million records, had millions of fans and even won a Grammy. However, they were hiding behind one of the biggest lies in the history of pop music. This episode was first published in October 2024. Host: Dave Ha…

One-time prince of pop Justin Timberlake appeared at a Long Island court on Tuesday after being arrested for driving while intoxicated. Now he’s bringing scandal back, with police describing him as having "bloodshot and glassy" eyes as well as smelling of alcohol. Journalist Louise Bruton discusses the controversial personal life of the Cry Me A Ri…

Within 48 hours of inserting Songs of Innocence into the folders of half-a-billion Apple users, the tech giant’s deal to give away U2's new album came under attack from music fans and iPhone owners across the globe. Described on some corners of the internet as “the U2 virus”, the album deal became one of the band’s and Apple’s biggest ever PR gaffs…

At the height of his fame, Pete Doherty personified rock'n'roll excess. Though he wished to be taken seriously as an artist, it was the many personal controversies of the Libertines frontman that provoked public scrutiny. From his relationship with Kate Moss, to his descent into drug addiction, to his link to a tragic death that still poses unanswe…

Conspiracy theories are nothing new. The latest one doing the rounds is that pop princess Taylor Swift - who just won 'Album of the Year' at the Grammy's - is a Pentagon “psyop plant” who will rig both the upcoming Super Bowl and US presidential election. This has led to clashes between “Swifties” and the far right. The Indo Daily explains all. Thi…

Elf, Love Actually and Die Hard – some of the movies we discuss as we look for the best and worst Christmas movies of all time? What are yours? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Dave Hanratty and Dee Molumby See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Af Irish Independent

As 2024 draws to an end, the Irish Independent’s political team looks back at some of the more extraordinary moments of the year inside Leinster House and out and about on the election trail. From pricey bike sheds to campaign catastrophes, this year was another headline-grabbing one for politicians and wannabe TDs across the country. Today on The …

Gisèle Pelicot’s story of being drugged and raped by 50 men for over a decade has shocked the world. The defendants were branded ‘Mr Everyman’ by the French press and they even included her ex-husband. Today they were sentenced collectively to 428 years in prison. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Catherine Field See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy …

2024 is almost in the history books and it was yet another eyebrow-raising 12 months on both the Irish and international stage. From the violent chaos of the US presidential election and the much more subdued voting here at home, to the many scandals and individuals that made headlines, the Indo Daily team looks back on the year that was. Host: Ell…

On 18 June 1994, UVF members burst into a local pub in Loughinisland Co. Down and fired on the customers, killing six and wounding five others. The investigation failed to catch the killers. Journalist Trevor Birney helped make the documentary ‘No Stone Unturned’ about the murders but was arrested in 2018 for breaching the Official Secrets Act. Aft…

Jealousy, coercive control, abusive texts, withholding money: Claire Lott tells of the behaviour that might set alarm bells ringing, as she recounts the heartbreaking story of her daughter Nadine, who was murdered by ex-partner Daniel Murtagh in front of her six-year-old daughter Kya. Host; Ellen Coyne, Guests; Claire Lott and Niamh Horan See omnys…

Israel’s decision to close its embassy in Dublin has taken many people by surprise. It has left people asking why Ireland has been singled out and if the accusation of “antisemitic actions and rhetoric” will damage Ireland's reputation on the world stage. Host: Ellen Coyne Guest: Gabija Gataveckaite See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati…

When the BBC aired journalist Michael Buerk's harrowing reports of Ethiopian famine in 1984, few could have imagined the enduring legacy they would inspire. Among those watching was Irish musician Bob Geldof, who became determined to help in the only way he knew how. So, how did Band Aid's iconic Christmas single come about and why is it still caus…

The incredible story of how former male model Patrick Crinnion rose through the ranks of garda intelligence, only to join a network of MI6 spies designed to infiltrate the Irish State. Host: Fionnán Sheahan. Guest: David Burke See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Af Irish Independent

The next government has yet to be officially formed, but we have our first major political scandal of the new season. Step forward Eoin Hayes, newly-elected Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay South, who became the center of attention of a chaotic press conference this week when the subject of his personal business dealings came up. So ensued a nigh…

If the Celtic Tiger era were to be given a face, it would surely be Katy French. The model and socialite embodied the glamour and excesses of Ireland’s boom period before her tragic death in December 2007. This is the story of Ireland’s original IT Girl. Host: Ellen Coyne Guest: Melanie Finn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

The Assad family reigned Syria for more than half a century and did so with an iron fist. They crushed dissent from outspoken voices, turning chemical weapons upon their own citizens. It was the definition of a violent authoritarian state. In the space of only a few days, Syrian Rebel forces ousted Bashar Al Assad, signaling the end of a brutal 13-…

Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione has been charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare. Why has this case grabbed the world's media attention and what does it say about public opinion towards the corporate world? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Terry Sheridan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

"Operation Destabilise" has exposed the dark money web relied on by criminals and spies alike. The international sting, led by the UK's National Crime Agency, uncovered a multi-billion dollar crypto laundering network which included the Kinahan cartel, Russian spies, online scammers and even a Moscow socialite. So how did it work, how was it uncove…

We are bringing Indo Daily listeners an episode from The Sunday World's excellent new food and lifestyle podcast Under the Grill this weekend. In each episode Kevin Dundon and Caoimhe Young sit around the kitchen table with some of Ireland’s best loved personalities in Under the Grill. In this episode Aslan legend Billy McGuinness joins Kevin Dundo…

What are the allegations being made against Gregg Wallace that have led to him stepping down as host of the BBC’s flagship show MasterChef and doe sit mean for the BBC and the MeToo movement? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Enda Brady & Niamh Horan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Af Irish Independent

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is facing a legal bill of around €1m after a judge ruled he must pay Nikita Hand’s legal costs following her successful civil rape claim against him. Mr Justice Alexander Owens also indicated he was considering bringing contempt proceedings against Mr McGregor over a social media post in which he described the…

All 174 Dail seats have been filled, and the new TDs are wandering around Leinster House looking for their new digs and the subsidized soup. What's next? Just the small order of forming a government until 2029. Thankfully our man on the ground Finian McGrath, has the inside scoop on what conversations have already taken place on Kildare St. And wha…

As a journalist and mum of three, Melanie Finn was too busy to take much notice of the headaches and falls she’d been having. Then, in the summer of 2023, her condition deteriorated rapidly, and doctors discovered a cyst on her brain. She speaks with Ellen Coyne on emergency surgery, the long road to recovery and how, ultimately, she feels changed …

Remains exhumed from a grave in County Monaghan are being DNA tested to determine whether they include those of Joe Lynskey. One of the ‘disappeared’, the former monk turned IRA man was abducted, murdered and secretly buried in 1972. Lynskey is understood to have tricked a fellow IRA man into shooting a love rival – also a member of the IRA. The IR…

Horse-trading begins for a place at the table with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, but you can expect Simon Harris to be Taoiseach for Christmas before handing the office back to Micheál Martin in the new year. But what about long-term? How many seats do Fianna Fáil need to earn to sideline Simon Harris into a full-time Tánaiste roll? See omnystudio.com…

Votes have been counted and attention is now turning to who will form the next government. Labour leader Ivana Bacik and Kerry Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae believe they should be strongly considered for inclusion in a new coalition. For a time, it looked like Gerry Hutch might just become a TD. However, the man known as ‘The Monk’ ultimately fe…

It’s neck and neck in Dublin Central, where Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch and Labour’s Marie Sherlock go for the final seat. Outside of the countries box office constituency, what will happen if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael get 85 seats? Do the big two need a final partner in this coalition. And where do Sinn Féin go from here after a lackluster performance…

Have the left only themselves to blame if they face another government term with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in Power? Garry Gannon discusses his red line issues and why he's keen for a seat at the table regardless of who is sitting beside him. Also, while speaking to awaiting media, Mary Lou McDonald talked about ‘breaking the two-party system’, but…