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Please help keep this podcast going by becoming a member at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

You might have seen the series, Stories from the Streets, on Virgin Media TV recently. Well the writer and director, Luke McManus and one of the stars of episode 3, homeless rapper, Tommy KD, came over to the tortoise shack to tell us all about it.

Tommy recounts his own journey through addiction, sleeping rough and finding peace in art. He shares candidly about his years on the streets and the relationships he had and what resilience means. Luke describes how the focus of a show like this is to break that dehumanising idea about homeless people and why we must all look beyond the strereotypes. We also had a lot of fun!

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It may be episode 2, but it's the first guest!

Hosts Sam McIlwaine and Gareth Mulvenna are joined by the Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, and MLA, Robbie Butler.

Robbie discusses his working class roots, growing up in Loyalist housing estates and his uncomfortable personal relationship in owning the label 'loyalist'.

He chats about the NI Protocol and the mental health crisis that Northern Ireland is struggling with whilst having no real functioning devolved government.

(Note: We open with a chat on the latest news around NI and the interview with Robbie starts at about 10 mins)

Please support this podcast by joining us at ptreon.com/tortoiseshack

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It was a pleasure to be joined by Dublin Inquirer Reporter, Shamim Malekmian, Barrister & Human Rights Activist, Séana Grant and the Political Poll Boss, Harry McEvansoneya for a run through the week that was.

We covered the unjust treatment of migrant workers, that abhorrent song, the latest political polls, the continued attacks on LGBTQ rights, Ukraine, the Queen in the SINDO, some things to look out for next week and why our booming economy isn't lifting the wider society.

To attend these regular live shows and get lots of exclusive content join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

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Our guest in the tortoise shack is Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle. Thomas tells us about his Bill to implement the UN International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which he is bringing to the floor of the Dáil tomorrow. That Ireland hasn't implemented this already is wrong. That several TD's who supported it last year when in opposition look set to oppose it tomorrow is a stain on our democracy.

We discuss the need for the Bill, how it would help to begin leveling the playing field for many communities and the reasons the State are dragging their feet. We think this is an important listen.

There is also a petition for the Bill that we'd ask you to sign and share HERE.

Support Us at Patreon