Behind the Story

RTÉ News

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way.

Email: behindthestory@rte.ie

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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Yesterday · 42 min
What's happening at the AI Summit?
Big Tech, Big Business and lots of politicians are attending the International AI Summit at the RDS. Fran and Paul are joined by Bloomberg's Tom MacKenzie to discuss AI in Europe. Later, Liz Carolan of The Briefing.ie and Charlie Taylor of the Business Post chat about the ups and downs of AI, dress codes and bad merch! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monday · 29 min
How Robert Pether got out of Iraq
After five and a half years of illegal detention in Iraq, Robert Pether landed in Dublin airport on Monday morning. He was greeted by family and friends and spoke of his time in a Baghdad prison and subsequent struggle to survive before he was allowed leave the country. His lawyer, Irish man Peter Griffin, took up his case, pro-bono in 2021 having heard about Robert's case in his son's school newsletter. Peter speaks to host Karen Creed about the legal fight to secure Robert's release. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Friday · 26 min
Execution by firing squad and live streamed
The decision by the US Defence Department to live stream the execution of a man convicted of murdering thirteen unarmed soldiers at a military post in Texas in 2009 has sparked global headlines. The Pentagon announced earlier this week it would execute Nidal Hasan in December in the first military execution for more than 60 years. On this episode of Behind The Story we talk to death row lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith who has represented hundreds of people sentenced to death over the past four decades. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 7 · 25 min
IVF costs and concern over 'add-on' fertility treatments
IVF services have expanded dramatically over the last few decades. Infertility treatments are widely promoted but concerns are mounting over how effective and/or safe some of these 'add-ons' are. RTÉ Investigates Deputy Editor Aoife Hegarty joins Paul to discuss 'Fertility Uncovered' documentary that includes stories of couples trying to have a baby and also looks at public funding for IVF. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 6 · 28 min
BONUS - Budget special - will there be any more money in your pocket?
Ministers Harris and Chambers unveiled Budget 27 in the Dáil this afternoon. Income tax changes, welfare increases, carbon tax paused, just some of the headline announcements but will there be any more money in your pocket when inflation is taken into account? Chief Economist with Deloitte Ireland, Kate English joins Fran and Paul on a whistlestop tour of the key points of the budget. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 5 · 27 min
New charges on parcels and Andrew takes legal action
From next month, another new charge will come into effect on goods bought outside the EU. The €2 'union handling fee' will be implemented on Nov 1st, this is in addition to the €3 customs charge that had applied since July. Consumer Affairs correspondent Aengus Cox joins Fiona Mitchell to explain the new fees and how customers may not be aware of the new charges. Later, Chief Royal Correspondent with Newsweek, Jack Royston discuss ex Prince Andrew's decision to take legal action against the police over the search warrants used during his arrest in February this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 2 · 23 min
Proteinmaxxing: just how much protein do you really need?
Protein water? protein cereal or how about protein infused vodka? Protein products are everywhere but earlier this week the Bank of America issued a warning to the food industry that the protein craze could have peaked. Dietician Sarah Keogh and RTE business desk reporter Adam Maguire join Fran to discuss the products, proteinmaxxing, who's making money and how much protein does a person really need. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 30 · 28 min
Strikes on the horizon? and foul play at Man City!
Thousands of public sector workers began a work to rule in protest at the government's reluctance to talk pay! Teachers, nurses and other sectors are threatening further strike action in the coming weeks. Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan joins Paul to explain what's going on. Later, hacking, leaking and dishonesty at the heart of one of the Premier League's biggest clubs. Football finance expert, Associate Professor Kieran Maguire discusses the allegations of dodging dealings at Manchester City. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 28 · 28 min
Garvaghy Road stand-off and online house bidding
The stand-off between protestors and the Orange Order continues on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. Sinn Fein and the DUP clash over the proposed parade with the row threatening to collapse the power sharing executive at Stormont. Host Karen Creed is joined by Prof Deirdre Heenan to analyse the situaton. Later, Political Editor with the Examiner, Elaine Loughlin discusses the online bidding process for buying a house and how concerns are rising around the 'gamification' of bidding and instant alerts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 25 · 38 min
Politics on the pitch - Ireland v Israel
The Republic of Ireland are due to play Israel on Sunday in the Nations League tournament in Hungary but pressure continues to mount on the players and the FAI to pull out of the fixture. Fran and Eamon discuss the increasingly tense situation as more protests are planned this weekend against the games. Later, UCD Lecturer in Politics Graham Finlay discuss the speeches made at the United Nations this week and whether the UN is fit for purpose as conflicts continue acround the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 23 · 23 min
The financial shock of cancer
A cancer diagnosis can cost far more than many patients expect. Cancer survivor Aoife Murphy and Irish Cancer Society CEO Nikki Gallagher join Paul Cunningham to reveal how falling incomes and mounting medical and travel expenses can leave families facing a financial crisis alongside treatment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 21 · 25 min
New research on energy drinks and a large fine for Google!
New research by Safefood shows that 12% of 15-24 years old consume an energy drink once a day. Support is also growing for age restrictions on the sugar and caffeine rich drinks. Dietician Sarah Keogh joins Maggie Doyle to discuss the findings and explains why caffeine is linked to sport performance. Later, Work and Technology correspondent Brian O'Donovan outlines why tech giant Google has been fined over €400 million over the processing of location data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 18 · 31 min
Award winning actor Chris Addison on dark comedy and politics today
Emmy award winning actor, producer and comedian Chris Addison joins Paul and Evelyn to discuss his new comedy drama, Tall Tales and Murder. Chris, who is also known for playing 'Ollie Reeder' in the cult TV show, The Thick of it, chats political satire in a Trump dominated world, Nigel Farage and why audiences like a bit of dark comedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 16 · 25 min
Irish acts quit Ed Sheeran tour over 'Free Palestine' row
On Monday, US rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's support acts following comments he made in early September in support of Palestine. Irish artists, Aaron Rowe and Beoga quit the tour in support of Macklemore on Tuesday. Arts and Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke joins Paul to explain how this is the biggest controversy facing singer-songwriter ED Sheeran. Later, Suzanne Lynch of Bloomberg analyses EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union speech See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 14 · 27 min
All hail Lowry, whiskey tariffs no more!
Golf diplomacy came to the fore this weekend, when President Trump announced he would drop tariffs on Irish whiskey as he presented the Irish Open trophy to Shane Lowry. The dropping of the tariff came as a welcome surprise to the sector. Agriculture and Consumer Affairs correspondent Aengus Cox joins Maggie Doyle to discuss the tariff and what's expected dominate the agenda at the Ploughing Championships. Later Euronews reporter Shona Murray explains why Canadian Prime Minister is visiting Europe this week in the hope of deepening the relationship with the EU. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 11 · 34 min
Award winning author Colum McCann on 9/11 and Trump's America
'A damp white loaf' that's how Colum McCann describes US President Donald Trump who arrives in Ireland this weekend. Colum joins Fran to discuss the anniversay of 9/11 and how America has changed since 2001. Colum, who lives in New York with his family shares his thoughts on Mayor Zohran Mamdani, JD Vance and why he remains positive when he thinks about the future of American politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 9 · 26 min
Hell hath no fury - the row at the heart of the GAA
The plan to integrate camogie and ladies football into the GAA appears to have derailed with the resignation of former President Dr Mary McAleese from the Steering Committee. Dr McAleese didn't hold back in her criticism of the leadership of the association. Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA rejected accusations of misogyny and said the organisation was committed to integration. Sinead O'Carroll, Editor of The Journal joins Paul to explain what is going on and why this row is a major setback for women and girls playing on teams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 7 · 30 min
Are higher prices here to stay?
Take-away chips, cans of tomatoes, petrol and Netflix - just some of the products that have increased in price and have hit people's pockets. Consumer journalist Caitríona Redmond joins Paul to explain why everything seems to be increasing in price in the supermarket and beyond. Later, Economics and Public Affairs editor David Murphy discusses how the budget might bring some relief for people and the choices that will face Simon Harris as he unveils his first budget as Minister for Finance in a few weeks time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 4 · 42 min
The Murder of Mr Moonlight - a new drama
A new drama series, The Murder of Mr Moonlight will be coming to screens next year. Commissioned by RTÉ, the cast includes Brendan Coyle as Bobby Ryan, aka Mr Moonlight who was murdered by Patrick Quirke in 2011. Arrested in 2013 and found guilty by a jury in 2019, the Quirke trial was one of Ireland's longest running court cases. The case prompted huge public interest and is now being made into a drama for national and international audiences. Barry Cummins, Author and co-host of the podcast 'Unsolved', joins Fran and Evelyn to reflect on the case and reveal some of Quirke's behaviour in and out of the court. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 2 · 27 min
Is Europe going to get tough with Russia?
Tough talk from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hung over the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Wicklow. On Tuesday, Germany blamed Russia for a failed drone attack on Leipzig airport in August. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said it was clear Russia was trying to divide the EU while EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas labelled the Russia attack as 'state-sponsored terrorism'. Paul and Laura are joined by Eddy Wax of Euractiv and by Keir Giles, Russia expert to discuss the developments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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