The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

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Writer, columnist and political commentator Elaine Crory rejoined me on the tortoise shack to talk Stormont and the mood music of a managed decline. She breaks down why the politicians MUST stay the course and not betray their constituents and the reasons for the latest opinion poll data that shows a 60%+ lead for the Irish unity with EU membership question.

This is a belter of a chat with a great voice we need to hear from.

The Hope, Courage and Community podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157607730

James Leonard in the Shack podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158043146

Malak Hijazi is an English Literature graduate, writer, historian of displacement and journalist from Gaza. She joins us from Gaza City to share her story, describe life under the ongoing genocide and explain why she is compelled to record what is happening to her people despite the danger to herself.

A remarkable young woman. Don’t miss it.

Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157551108

The Hope, Courage and Community podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157607730

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

In this tortoise shack special episode, Tony speaks with community development expert and big ideas guy, Rob Cass, about Ireland's housing crisis, the data-driven solutions, and the importance of measuring and implementing effective and proven policies to build a sustainable future for young people and communities. It's not Urban vs Rural - it's old locking out the young.

For more see:https://onemillionhomes.ie/

Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157551108

Journalist Malak Hijazi on the ground in Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157428448

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It’s 2026, Gerry Hutch has left his second home of Lanzarote to run as a candidate in the upcoming Dublin Central byelection and Daniel Kinahan is in a Dubai prison cell fighting not to be sent back to Ireland to face justice. Irish sports legend Katie Taylor is looking to book her swansong fight in Croke Park. all the while the Regency shooting hangs like a cloud over everything. It’s all a bit surreal.

Joining me on the shack to discuss it all is sports journalist Kieran Cunningham. There’s no doubt in my mind that if it wasn’t for the work of Kieran, Daniel Kinahan’s rise and rise in the sport of boxing would have continued and things would be very different. May you live in interesting times.

The Tax Cuts podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/tax-cuts-157332004

The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/

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Infectious disease expert, UCC's Prof Adjunct and Hospital Consultant, Niall Conroy, recently returned from his second home of Sierra Leone, where he witnessed first-hand the impact of the cuts by the likes of Trump, Musk and others are having on some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

This is both a necessary eye-opening conversation about epidemics, pandemic prevention and why we might be sleepwalking into more problems.

Niall's children malnutrition ward fundraiser is here:https://www.gofundme.com/f/childrens-malnutrition-ward-bo-govt-hospital-sierra-leone

Kieran Cunningham on Daniel Kinahan's arrest podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156664295

The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

In this episode, Tony and Mr Judge Street Journal, Timmy Facciola, explore the first 100 days of Zoran Mamdani's NYC mayoralty, political strategies, and the evolving landscape of New York City politics.

Timmy also breaks down his phone call with President Trump.

They also touch on international issues, sports (NBA briefly), and personal passions (Timmy's fishing), providing current affairs and personal stories that get a little loose.

We'll have to redial the President on the shack soon ;)

The One Million Homes Project: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156658656

The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Khaled Al-Qershali is a writer and journalist from Gaza, focusing on personal narratives and reporting on the humanitarian impact of conflict. He has published articles and essays in outlets such as The Electronic Intifada, The Washington Report of Middle East Affairs, and The Independent. His work highlights stories of resilience, survival, and the lived experiences of civilians under occupation.

He joins us from Gaza City to share his story and his hopes for the future.

The case for Community Wealth Building Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156362917

NERI's Tom McDonnell on the Energy Crisis and Solutions Pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156099307

The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Independent (Govt) TD Barry Heneghan came over to the tortoise shack to discuss his decision to vote confidence in the government, his reasons and redlines for what he deems government stability and why he believes that his voters will understand his position even as the cost of living crisis continues to worsen.

Editors Note: Recorded for members 17th April

The case for Community Wealth Building Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156362917

NERI's Tom McDonnell on the Energy Crisis and Solutions Pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156099307

The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Sonia Borwick has worked caring for people in their homes for over two decades. Now, like many of her Section 39 colleagues, she is paid less than she was almost 20 years ago. Worse still, she’s been suspended from her workplace because, in my opinion, she has continued to raise the issue.

She joined me in the tortoise shack to talk about her experience and need for workers to stand together.

NERI's Tom McDonnell on the Energy Crisis and Solutions Pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156099307

Barry Heneghan Debate pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155860288

Khaled Al-Qershali with the latest from Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156249499

The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/

Please join me at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Editor's note: This podcast contains details that you might find upsetting.

Amira Attiya, a writer and a student of translation from Gaza, tells the story of how she lost her three siblings—one of them was kidnapped, killed, and even fed to dogs—and that of her father, who was burned with white phosphorus during the Cast Lead operation. Amira was displaced 12 times, and has spent the past two years in a tent. Despite this, she is about to graduate from her translation department and she has five offers to study abroad. Tune in for the full story.

Barry Heneghan Debate pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155860288

The Energy Crisis with NERI's Tom McDonnell:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-156099307

The Hind Rajab jersey for Dignity for Palestine is available here: https://spicebagmerch.com/