Earlier this week, a leading figure in the Kinahan crime gang, Sean McGovern pled guilty at the Special Criminal Court to directing a criminal gang in relation to the murder of one man and the surveillance of another.

McGovern is the first person to be extradited from the UAE to face trial.

Author and crime reporter Barry Cummins joins Fran to discuss the case and examine why the Kinahan crime group are ‘comfortably trapped’ in Dubai as the Iran war continues in the region.  

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One of the world's leading tech billionaires, Peter Thiel is in Rome this week, giving a series of 'behind closed doors' lectures on the Antichrist. The Vatican is not impressed. Reporter Amy Kazmin of the Financial Times joins Fran and Paul to discuss the reaction to Thiel's talks. Later, Professor of Ecclesiology, Massimo Faggioli explains the tension between advances in AI, Pope Leo and Catholic America's involvement with investments in the technology. 

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Jessie Buckley made history by becoming the first Irish woman to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Success too for Dubliner Richie Baneham who won his third Oscar for his work on Avatar. Evelyn O'Rourke tells Fran all about the night, the reaction to the wins but also how the night unravelled for Timothée Chalamet. 

Later, Fran is joined by Washington Correspondent, Jackie Fox, as she looks ahead to Taoiseach's visit to the White House for St Patrick's Day. 

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Earlier this week, a documentary by Louis Theroux landed on Netflix. Fran is joined by Professor Debbie Ging of DCU to discuss the growth of the manosphere and how misogynist behaviour and beliefs are spreading. Debbie also talks about what's happening in this country and points to some positive male influencers who are challenging the manosphere. 

Later, Fran is joined by Evelyn O'Rourke, arts and media correspondant, who is in LA for the Oscars. Evelyn shares stories from the city of Angels! 

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New figures released today show that used EVs are priced 11% below comparable diesel vehicles. After a fall in the value of electric cars, the market appears to have stabilised, which is attracting buyers back to considering an EV purchase. Fran and Paul are joined by Geraldine Herbert to discuss what's happened and how higher range vehicles are becoming more affordable. 

Fran and Paul also discuss the concern around the increasing use of private, unregulated accommodation for some of the state's most vulnerable children. Over a thousand children were placed in hotels and B&Bs last year due to a shortage of state accommodation. 

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Oil prices surged today to their highest levels since 2022. Stocks fell as the fallout from the Iran conflict continues to hit the economy and your pocket! Economics Editor David Murphy joins Fran to explain what's happening on the markets and why the price of petrol and home heating oil is rising so fast. 

Later Fran talks to Middle East expert Christian Henderson about food supplies in the Gulf. UAE imports 90% of it's food so it is only a matter of time before prices will go up as it gets more difficult to bring food into the region. 

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Leitrim man Liam Farrell's death in 2020 was in suspicious circumstances. His family received news on Thursday that the Minister for Justice has authorised the exhumation of the body.  The Garda Serious Crime Review Team are continuing to investigate the case. Liam's son, Brendan Farrell joins Fran to discuss how the family hope they will get answers to what happened to their Dad. 

Later, Fran is joined by journalist Barry O'Rourke to take a look at the world's No. 1 You Tuber and discuss the news that Mr Beast has acquired a financial services app and looks set to offer financial products to under 18s. 

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"The family circus has to end' says Justice Brian Cregan who, today, ordered that Enoch Burke's mother and sister be sent to jail for two weeks for contempt of court. Legal Affairs correspondant Orla O'Donnell joins Paul and Fran to discuss the latest twist in the Burke family's ongoing disruption of court proceedings. 

Later, Security and Warfare expert, Patrick Bury of University of Bath shares some interesting 'missile maths', the cost of an interceptor missile to take down one drone. He explains how drones have changed the nature of conflict. 

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In 2013, the Gardaí, with permission from the courts, released a picture of an unidentified girl to try and find out who she was. Within hours, they had a name: Samantha Azzopardi, an Australian serial fraudster. Azzopardi was deported and subsequently jailed but it now appears she's back to her old habits!! 

You can listen to the Finding Samantha podcast here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/series/38519-finding-samantha/

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As the US-Iran conflict escalates, oil prices have begun to rise, so what impact could the crisis have on prices here? Adam Maguire of the RTÉ Business desk joins Fran and Maggie to explain why the Straits of Hormuz is so important and how shipping is already re-routing away from the region. 

Later, Professor John O'Brennan of Maynooth University discusses the EU response, the potential to get dragged into the conflict and the possible impact on Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency. 

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