He claimed he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, but a month in, and Donald Trump has started his own war of words with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This is certainly not what people expected from a US-brokered peace deal.  As Trump sidles up to Putin and blames Zelensky for the war, what does it mean for Europe’s relationship with the US and should Ireland reconsider its own neutrality? Host: Kevin Doyle, Guests: Declan Power, Euan MacDonald

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Irish dancing may appear to be a world of dazzling costumes, intricate footwork, perfect manicured hair, but when we peel back the curtains on this glamorous sport, we come to learn it is also a community synonymous with drama. A series of allegations against a high-profile member of CLRG, Irish Dancing's governing body, sees the Irish dancing organisation being thrust into the spotlight once again. The issue though, was none of the rumours were true. So who was behind this? And why? Host; Tabitha Monahan, Guest; Ellen Coyne

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five men have appeared in court charged over the “planned and organised” torture of a man at a property in west Dublin. A special court sitting on Sunday evening heard that the victim was branded nine times with the word “rat” by a custom-made cattle iron and subjected to further acts of disturbing violence. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Robin Schiller

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malicious fake images of a female politician circulated during the general election are being investigated by gardaí. The sexually explicit photos were created using AI deepfake technology to cast a slur on the victim’s character. Fionnán Sheahan discusses this worrying development for Irish democracy, while SDLP MLA Cara Hunter shares how her own experience as a victim of a pornographic deepfake attack that nearly ruined her political career. Host: Tabitha Monahan; Guests: Fionnán Sheahan and Cara Hunter

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Angela Kerins, the former chief executive of the Rehab Group, found herself in front of the formidable Dáil public accounts committee in 2014, she couldn’t have anticipated what impact that hearing would have on her life. The highest court in the land would later find that the intense seven-hour grilling had gone too far. Host: Ellen Coyne Guest: Fionnán Sheahan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in 1988, six members of the Official IRA made their way to North Korea to receive ‘state of the art’ training. Dressed in the uniform of the Korean People's Army, they were taught North Korean style fighting and given lectures about the great leader Kim Il Sung and the wonders of one-party rule.B ut after a drunken brawl, the trip ended in embarrassment as the group had to leave the country. The BelTel’s Olivia Peden is joined by journalist John Sweeney, author of ‘North Korea: Inside the world’s most secretive state’ - he visited the strange nation as part of a BBC panorama documentary.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s a billionaire, a tech visionary, many would call him a disruptor and lately, one of the loudest voices on the far right of American politics. And it looks like Elon Musk is here to stay. But who is he really? Stories of emerald mines, complex family dynamics, and even estrangement paint a picture of a childhood that was anything but stable. Did growing up in a world of privilege, power, and racial division shape his worldview in ways we’re only now seeing play out? Host; Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Polly Dunbar

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once a promising Limerick minor football player, Ciaran Ryan forged ties in his local community that felt like lifelong bonds. A misunderstanding between Ciaran and Cian and Daragh Hayes – brothers of five-time All-Ireland champion hurler Kyle Hayes – would lead to a violent betrayal and leave Ciaran with extensive injuries. 

­

Host: Fionnán Sheahan          Guest: Patrick O’Connell

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senator Martin Conway finds himself at the centre of two major controversies. The first, an inappropriate behaviour row, dates back to 2018. The other one happened as recently as last month, when he was arrested on Dublin’s O’Connell Street in an “intoxicated state”. Why was this story so complicated to report on? And where does it go from here? Host: Kevin Doyle Guest: Fionnán Sheahan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gino D’Acampo is known for his extrovert personality and on-screen innuendos.  The Italian celebrity chef has become a regular on UK television with his cheeky chappy persona, appearing on major shows such as ITV’s This Morning, Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip and Family Fortunes.  However, an investigation by ITV News found the star has been accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour spanning 12 years, allegations D’Acampo has firmly denied. Was enough done to protect junior staff on set, and are D’Acampo’s days as a regular television fixture now over? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.