This week on The Group Chat:

Donald Trump once again dominated global headlines with a fiery address to the UN General Assembly in New York, taking aim at climate change, immigration, and even the UN itself – before sparking a medical storm by pushing an unproven link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism.

Back home, Ireland’s presidential election campaign is officially underway. With Maria Steen falling just short in her bid for a place on the ballot, and only three candidates confirmed, the smallest field in decades, can the race ignite or is it already fizzling out?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinn Féin is about to make a “gamechanger” move on the presidential election this weekend, keeping the race for the Áras buzzing. Will Gareth Sheridan make it onto the ballot through the council route? Could other independents join him? Conor McGregor has already pulled out, and Simon Harris says good riddance.

In Donabate, a four-year search has ended in heartbreak, with gardai believing they’ve found the remains of Daniel Aruebose.

On the international stage, a damning UN report, mounting EU pressure, and cultural and sporting isolation put Israel’s actions in Gaza under a microscope.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat, we look at the rise of political violence at home and abroad.

In the US, the shooting dead of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through politics, while here, the Tánaiste has revealed threats made against him. We ask what this climate means for democracy and public life.

Plus, with Ireland’s World Cup dreams in tatters once again, are fans destined to watch from the sidelines rather than the stands?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎪 The Group Chat live at Electric Picnic!

Taken from a segment of The Group Chat's live podcast at EP, the team discuss Fontaines D.C, Kneecap, CMAT and Sally Rooney using their platform to speak on Gaza and why Ireland’s biggest cultural voices aren’t just shaping art - they’re shaping politics too.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Group Chat, the government faces growing scrutiny over its plans to expand Rent Pressure Zones nationwide ahead of the Dáil's summer break. We also discuss mounting questions for An Garda Síochána following their handling of several high-profile cases—from the shooting in Carlow to developments in the Tina Satchwell and Michael Gaine investigations. Plus, what’s next for Gaza after the interception of the Madleen aid flotilla?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Group Chat, we are joined in studio by actor Liam Cunningham to discuss the Gaza flotilla.

We take an in-depth look back at the trial of Richard Satchwell with Virgin Media News courts correspondent Deborah Nayor.

Plus, we examine the online fallout from the shooting incident in Carlow last weekend.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Group Chat, Stephen Breen from The Irish Sun joins the panel to discuss the first extradition of a member of the Kinahan crime gang. We examine what exactly is Ireland’s role in fundraising for Israel’s war campaign in Gaza, and whether RTÉ should be spending money on outside agencies for its own internal ads.

All that and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.