The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

he Weekly Round-Up with Niall Boylan & AJ Walsh

This week Niall is joined by his former producer and long-time friend AJ Walsh for a lively and no-holds-barred look back at the stories that got everyone talking.

They discuss the horrific Preston Davey case and the questions being asked following the convictions. They also look at the growing debate around trust in the media as the BBC faces major cuts in an effort to save hundreds of millions of pounds, with programmes and jobs on the chopping block.

The pair debate the Government's move to back the removal of Ireland's three-day abortion waiting period and ask whether it is a long overdue change or a step too far. They also examine the UK's plans to introduce tougher restrictions on social media access for young people and whether such measures are about protecting children or controlling online speech.

Finally, they discuss the listener whose marriage is under strain after his wife adopted a vegan lifestyle and began encouraging their children to do the same. Is veganism a personal choice, or can it become a source of division within families?

As always, Niall and AJ bring their own opinions, challenge each other, and take a look at the stories that sparked the biggest debates of the week.

On this episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall speaks to Councillor Gavin Pepper about one of the most divisive issues in Irish politics today, who should get priority for social housing when there simply aren't enough homes to go around.

The discussion follows comments by Nigel Farage, who has pledged that under a Reform UK government, foreign nationals would be barred from accessing social housing and would instead be expected to secure private accommodation or potentially face deportation. Supporters say citizens should come first when housing is in short supply, while critics argue that anyone who is legally living, working and paying taxes deserves equal treatment.

The debate has also reignited questions here in Ireland. While access to social housing is subject to strict eligibility rules, many people believe foreign nationals are being allocated homes ahead of Irish citizens who have spent years on waiting lists. Others insist this is a misconception and that housing is allocated based on need, family circumstances and legal entitlement rather than nationality.

Niall asks Gavin Pepper whether foreign nationals are genuinely jumping the queue for social housing and, if so, how that is happening. Are loopholes in the system being exploited? Is the public being misled about who gets housing and why? Or are politicians avoiding an honest conversation about the pressures immigration is placing on an already overwhelmed housing system?

The conversation also explores whether social housing should primarily be reserved for citizens and long-term taxpayers, or whether anyone who is legally resident in the country should have equal access to support. As housing shortages continue to worsen, who should come first when there simply aren't enough homes for everyone?

Niall and Gavin debate the facts, the politics and the public anger surrounding one of the most controversial issues facing Ireland today.

In this episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall sits down with popular influencer, commentator and outspoken gay man Sean Ako for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about some of the most contentious issues facing society today.

Sean opens up about his own life, experiences growing up gay, and why he believes many people are afraid to challenge prevailing narratives. The discussion explores gender ideology, transgender activism, gender theory in schools, and why Sean feels many within the LGBT community are reluctant to question certain aspects of the movement.

Sean also explains why he wants nothing to do with Pride parades or modern Pride events, arguing that they no longer represent people like him. He shares his concerns about identity politics, free speech, and what he sees as the growing divide between ordinary gay people and activist organisations.

The conversation then turns to Ireland and the country's ongoing immigration challenges. Niall and Sean discuss the pressures on housing, public services, community relations, and whether the Government has lost control of immigration policy.

It's an honest, thought-provoking and at times controversial discussion that challenges assumptions and asks difficult questions about identity, politics, culture and the future of Ireland.

Has The Irish Flag Been Tarnished? | Niall Talks to John McGuirk

On this episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall speaks to journalist John McGuirk from The Statement about the growing controversy surrounding the Irish tricolour and what it represents in modern Ireland.

The debate was sparked after former President Mary McAleese criticised the use of Irish flags to intimidate people, saying that using the national flag in that way dishonours Ireland's history and echoes the discrimination once faced by Irish emigrants abroad. She argued that the tricolour should be a symbol of inclusion, not exclusion.

John McGuirk strongly pushed back, arguing that some commentators are too quick to associate the Irish flag with racism and that many ordinary people are simply expressing pride in their country. He also suggested that the tricolour itself has suffered because of decades of association with republican violence during the Troubles, leaving some people uncomfortable with displays of national identity.

So where do you stand? Has the Irish flag been unfairly tarnished by its association with the IRA and political violence, or is it offensive to suggest that Ireland's national flag carries any negative connotations? Are some people deliberately trying to demonise expressions of Irish identity, or are concerns about intimidation and exclusion legitimate?

Niall and John debate the issue, while callers share their views on whether the tricolour remains a symbol of unity for all Irish people or whether it has become one of the most contested symbols in the country.

On today's podcast, Niall discusses a message from a listener who says his wife's decision to become vegan has transformed their home life into a battleground. What began as a personal dietary choice has evolved into a major source of conflict, with the listener claiming his wife now refuses to buy animal products, wants their young children raised vegan and regularly criticises his own eating habits.

Joining Niall is Cathal Leahy from PAWS, who argues that concerns about animal welfare, factory farming and environmental damage are legitimate reasons for people to change their lifestyles and encourage others to do the same. The discussion also hears from an animal rights activist who believes society has become too comfortable with the treatment of animals and that more people should question where their food comes from.

But many callers strongly disagreed. Some argued that while adults are free to choose any diet they wish, imposing veganism on young children is unfair and potentially harmful if not carefully managed. Others said the real issue isn't veganism itself, but when any belief system becomes so dominant that it creates tension and division within a family.

Should parents have the right to raise their children vegan? Is encouraging a plant based lifestyle a responsible moral choice, or are some activists so passionate about their cause that they end up alienating friends and family?

The debate sparked passionate reactions from callers on both sides, making for a lively and thought provoking discussion.

On today's podcast, Niall speaks to Niamh Uí Bhriain, Assistant Editor of Gript Media, and Clare Mills, pro-choice advocate, about one of the most contentious issues currently before the Dáil.

Government leaders, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste

Simon Harris, have indicated they will support a Sinn Féin bill to abolish the mandatory three-day waiting period for women seeking an abortion in early pregnancy. A free vote is being held in the Dáil today, with the legislation expected to pass to the next stage. The current law requires a woman seeking an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to wait three days between her initial consultation and the procedure. Sinn Féin argues the delay is unnecessary, while supporters of the existing law say it was one of the safeguards presented to voters during the 2018 referendum.

During the debate, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he intends to support the legislation progressing, acknowledging that there are arguments on both sides of the issue. Simon Harris has also confirmed he will vote in favour, saying his position reflects engagement with women and medical professionals.

Supporters of the change argue that the waiting period is "patronising and paternalistic" and places additional stress on women who have already made a difficult decision. Sinn Féin's David Cullinane has described the proposed legislation as a straightforward measure designed to remove a barrier to healthcare.

Opponents argue that the three-day pause serves an important purpose by giving women time to reflect on a life-changing decision. Pro-life organisations and campaigners maintain that some women have changed their minds during the waiting period and that its removal would weaken one of the few remaining safeguards in Irish abortion law.

Should the waiting period be abolished, or does it still serve an important purpose? Is it an unnecessary obstacle to healthcare, or a valuable safeguard that should remain?

Niall, Niamh Uí Bhriain and Clare Mills debate the issue and hear the views of callers from across the country.

On today's podcast, Niall Boylan speaks to journalist Laura Perrins from Gript about one of the most disturbing child abuse and murder cases in recent years.

At Preston Crown Court, 37-year-old Jamie Varley was convicted of the murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey, along with child cruelty offences, sexual offences involving a child, the production of indecent images and the distribution of an indecent image. His partner, 32-year-old John McGowan-Fazakerley, was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty and sexual assault.

The case has shocked many people across Britain and Ireland, raising difficult questions about child protection, safeguarding failures and whether warning signs were missed before this tragedy unfolded. Niall and Laura discuss the details of the case, the public reaction, the role of social services and the wider debate about accountability when vulnerable children fall through the cracks of the system.

This is a difficult but important conversation about one of the most heartbreaking cases to come before the courts in recent years.

On today's podcast, Niall Boylan is joined by Sunday Times economics columnist Cormac Lucey to discuss a growing crisis that goes far beyond politics and economics, the collapse of public trust in the media.

New figures published in the Digital News Report Ireland 2026 show that trust in "most news" has fallen sharply in Ireland, dropping from 51% to 42% in just one year. According to the report, Ireland recorded one of the steepest declines in news trust of any country surveyed. While confidence in individual news brands has remained relatively stable, trust in the wider media landscape continues to erode.

At the same time, a fierce debate has erupted over censorship and freedom of expression following the UK's proposed social media restrictions. Critics, including Elon Musk, have argued that measures presented as online safety protections could become tools for surveillance and control. Supporters insist stronger regulation is necessary to tackle harmful content, misinformation and online abuse.

Niall and Cormac discuss why so many people no longer trust traditional news organisations, whether journalists and media outlets have become too closely aligned with political and ideological agendas, and what role censorship, fact-checking and government regulation may be playing in the public's growing scepticism.

As public confidence continues to fall, the conversation asks a fundamental question: are people losing trust in the news because the media is failing the public, or because social media has fundamentally changed how we consume and judge information?

It's a thought-provoking discussion about trust, journalism, censorship, free speech and who gets to decide what information the public should be allowed to see.

On today's podcast, Niall Boylan opens the lines to callers to debate a controversial new pilot scheme being introduced in Irish prisons.

Under the initiative, prisoners in the Dóchas Centre and the Training Unit on the Mountjoy campus will, for the first time, be able to receive direct phone calls from approved family members and friends straight to telephones in their cells. The Irish Prison Service says the three month pilot is designed to strengthen family connections, improve prisoner stability and support rehabilitation. Calls will be limited, monitored and can be withdrawn as a privilege if prisoners misuse the system or breach prison rules. Prisoners will be restricted to two inbound calls per day, each lasting up to 10 minutes, and all calls will be recorded.

Supporters argue that maintaining contact with loved ones is one of the most effective ways to reduce reoffending and help prisoners successfully reintegrate into society after release. They say prison should not simply be about punishment but also about rehabilitation, and that stronger family ties can play a vital role in preventing future crime. The Irish Prison Service has said the scheme is specifically intended to enhance family support and improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Critics, however, have reacted angrily online. Many believe prison is supposed to be a punishment and that inmates already enjoy too many privileges. Some have questioned why offenders should receive direct phone access to their cells when many law-abiding citizens struggle with rising costs and long waits for public services. Others argue that victims and their families are too often forgotten in discussions about prisoner welfare.

So where do you stand?

Are direct calls to prison cells a sensible rehabilitation measure that could reduce reoffending and improve behaviour, or is this another example of prisoners being given comforts they simply don't deserve?

Should prison focus primarily on punishment, rehabilitation, or both?

And are we becoming too soft on crime?

Niall hears from callers on both sides of this increasingly heated debate

On this episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall opens the lines to callers to discuss a controversial new proposal that could see owners of derelict properties hit with massive annual tax bills.

Finance Minister Simon Harris is bringing proposals to Cabinet for a new Derelict Property Tax that would replace the existing derelict sites levy and allow Revenue to collect the charge directly. Under the plan, owners of derelict properties could face an annual tax of at least 7% of the property's market value unless the building is renovated and brought back into use. The government says the move is necessary because local authorities have "badly failed" to enforce the current system and thousands of potentially usable properties remain vacant during Ireland's housing crisis. The new tax is expected to apply initially in more than 100 towns and cities across the country and will be backed by Revenue's enforcement powers. According to Simon Harris, property owners have a choice: bring the property back into use or face what he described as a "hefty tax". Latest estimates suggest there are almost 19,500 derelict residential properties across Ireland.

Supporters argue that with so many people struggling to buy or rent a home, it is unacceptable for thousands of properties to sit empty and deteriorate. They say owners have had years to act and that strong financial penalties are needed to force unused homes back onto the market.

Critics, however, see it as another attack on property rights. They point out that owners have already paid income tax on the money used to buy the property, paid stamp duty when purchasing it and continue to pay various property-related taxes. They argue that the State is now effectively imposing a recurring penalty simply because somebody chooses not to use their property in a way the government approves of.

For some owners, the bill could run into tens of thousands of euro every year. A property valued at €500,000 could face a charge of €35,000 annually under a 7% tax rate.

So where should the balance lie? Should the State have the power to financially punish people for leaving a property vacant? Is this a reasonable response to a housing emergency, or a dangerous precedent that undermines private property rights?

Niall asks callers: if you own something, should the government be able to tax you into using it, selling it or renovating it? Or is this exactly the kind of action needed to tackle Ireland's housing crisis?