“A tough type of woman, at the moment growing quite a successful moustache... Not particularly intelligent, and does not seem [to] take her work very seriously”

Despite this blistering account of her capabilities written by a training officer, Maureen O’Sullivan was one of the most successful Allied agents in the French Resistance, lasting seven months in the field compared to an average life expectancy of six weeks.

Her fascinating life story has been uncovered in recent years and she’s been honoured in France.

📲 To listen, find us wherever you get your podcasts.

Clodagh Finn: In the footsteps of Irish secret agent Maureen O’Sullivan

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Calling women pigs has been a trope to bring down women throughout history.

The famous ‘pig-faced woman’ of Dublin was a trailblazer – in the 1700s she set up Ireland’s first public hospital using an inheritance from her twin brother.

Working with artisans, builders, doctors and notable figures in Dublin society, her work provided the first freely available medical treatment to the city’s poor.

The hospital she founded is home to the HSE today.

🎧 To listen, find us wherever you get your podcasts.

Clodagh Finn: If only we had hospital builder Madam Steevens in today's world

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A single act of kindness by a Red Cross nurse to eight year old Manizha Khan would change the course of her life forever – that one action would save her from Taliban death threats twenty years later and lead her on her journey to Ireland.

Growing up in Pakistan as a refugee, studying dentistry in China and returning to Afghanistan as a highly educated woman during the country’s brief years of liberation, Manizha was bound to be a target for the Taliban when the Americans pulled out.

Working as Dean of a University Dental School, as the Taliban rolled into Herat and shots fired outside, she frantically printed student records – so they could prove they had studied, if the chance ever came again to resume education.

"I was in the university because the students were very scared that if university archive burns, then all their records will be destroyed.

“We were printing records for the students and signing and stamping them.

“My husband called, and he said the Taliban have entered the city, stop what you are doing, I'm coming to pick you up, just leave...

“Some people started laughing and they're like, well done now, all you women, you will be going back home. You enjoyed freedom for 20 years. Now again, back home, sit in your home, raise children...These things were coming from the people who are working with us, people we called brothers, people we called colleagues."

Read Manizha Khan’s article in this week’s Irish Examiner

Ireland welcomed me, but new rules mean my path is impossible to follow

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After months of living under suffocating Taliban rule, losing her much-loved job, encountering death threats and oppression, Manizha and her family escaped from Afghanistan thanks with help from an old friend. 

Arriving in Ireland at Christmas, Manizha and her family were welcomed warmly by their new neighbours in Rosscarbery.

"When we came, it was Christmas. And I remember when we reached Irish soil, my daughter said, where is Santa Claus? Because Dublin Airport was so beautiful with decorations.

“We were in Reenascreena at the time and that house was so isolated and all the neighbours came to us. They brought us Christmas gifts. They brought us Christmas cards. They brought us cookies. They didn't let us feel lonely. It wasn't like a show, you know, they didn't come to see ‘that poor refugee family’. It wasn't like that.”

“It was like, look at this refugee family alone here during Christmas.”

Ireland is home now.

“I think I am Irish. If God forbid tomorrow Ireland goes in war, I will be fighting for Ireland. I would die for Ireland. I won't let Ireland go to the same pain that Afghanistan went through.”

Read Manizha Khan’s article in this week’s Irish Examiner

Ireland welcomed me, but new rules mean my path is impossible to follow

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Massive delays in parcel delivery, one operator gone out of business just weeks before Christmas and a growing sense that some stockings may be filled with IOUs this festive season has consumers all up in a heap.

Irish Examiner columnist Caitriona Redmond has been keeping abreast of delivery problems this Christmas and she is the guest on today’s episode of The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast.

Caitríona Redmond: Who is responsible when deliveries go missing from your doorstep?

An Post Christmas backlogs grow as customers wait a week or more for parcel deliveries

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Mother of four Naomi James from Co Louth died in June 2024 after giving birth to her youngest son.

Having previously experienced traumatic births in hospital, Ms James laboured at home and was brought to hospital where she later died. Her family believes she may have been influenced by the online Free Birth movement to avoid medical intervention.

A recent investigation into the Free Birth movement by the Guardian found an industry worth millions of dollars to a few figurehead leaders, putting the lives of women and babies worldwide at risk.

Irish Examiner Health Correspondent Niamh Griffin has been covering this story. She is the guest on today’s Deirdre O’Shaughnessy podcast.

Mother who died after giving birth was 'exceptional', her husband says

Maternity care in Ireland has seen 'a lot of change', leading to better outcomes, leading doctor says

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90 year old Callaghan (Cal) O’Keeffe gave his life to save a woman from being hit by a reversing car in 2024.

The retired school principal and farmer from North Cork was posthumously recognised last week with a gold medal at the National Bravery Awards.

His son Martin spoke to Deirdre about the life and death of an extraordinary hero.

Bravery Awards: Gold medal for 90-year-old Cork man who died saving a woman's life

Posthumous bravery award for Cork man who gave his life to save stranger

Man, 90, who died in Fermoy saved another life moments before being struck by car

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The disappearance of Jimmy O’Neill is one of Ireland’s longest running mysteries. The 16 year old messenger boy disappeared in 1947 after being accused of stealing a postal order, and his family’s decades-long search has only raised more questions than answers about the conduct of local Gardai at the time.

With most of his surviving family long dead, Jimmy’s brother Frank continues to search for answers, following traces of Jimmy to Liverpool and beyond.

Today’s guest on the Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast is Alison O’Reilly, and you can read her coverage of this case at irishexaminer.com.

Brother of child missing since 1947 to address National Missing Persons Day event

Jimmy O'Neill letter to be forensically examined 77 years after his disappearance

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In his first visit to Ireland, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Ireland repeatedly for its “steadfast support” for his embattled country.

Speaking in the Dáil, he said Ireland’s support for the thousands of Ukrainians who have sought protection here and for the country’s defence was rooted in a shared historical understanding.

On today’s podcast, Irish Examiner political staff Paul Hosford and Louise Burne break down the visit, from President Connolly’s welcome at Áras an Uachtaráin to the statement from People Before Profit, who did not applaud the Ukrainian President’s speech.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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Last week's 'Lancet' report on ultra processed foods (UPFs) established that ultra processed foods are damaging both our mental and physical health, across all the major organ systems of the body.

Food writer Michelle Darmody says Ireland could be a leader in cleaning up our food systems, but we need a Minister for Food first Michelle is the guest on today’s episode of the Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast.

Read Michelle’s article here Michelle Darmody: Ireland could lead the way in ultra-processed foods control

Listen back: Podcast: I tried to give up ultra-processed foods — here's what happened

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