Newstalk Breakfast

Newstalk
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Jan 15, 2026 • 5min

Should we let burglars out on temporary release?

A relatively small group of repeat offenders are responsible for a disproportionate share of burglary offences. That’s according to new figures provided to Ireland South MEP and former barrister Cynthia Ní Mhurchú from the Irish Courts Service. Cynthia discussed these findings with Shane this morning.
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Jan 15, 2026 • 6min

What is the future for Greenland?

The Danish Foreign Minister has said a ‘fundamental disagreement’ over Greenland remains following talks in the White House with US Vice-President JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio.  Greenland’s Foreign Minister said they are 'committed to finding the right path'.  We discuss further with Adrienne Murray, Copenhagen-based journalist. 
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Jan 14, 2026 • 2min

Kneecap are back in court

Kneecap are back in court today as prosecutors are appealing the decision to throw out terrorism charges brought against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known by his stage name “Mo Chara”    Our reporter Ellen Butler was outside the court...   
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Jan 14, 2026 • 6min

Calls for strict deadlines to be imposed on repairs for wastewater leaks

Uisce Éireann should be mandated to commence mitigation works for wastewater leaks or discharges within one month of detection. That’s the call in a private members motion from four Independent TDs before the Dáil today.   Among them is Michael Collins Leader of Independent Ireland Party & TD for Cork south west who Joined Shane Coleman on the show.
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Jan 14, 2026 • 6min

Thousands are feared dead following weeks of protest in Iran

Thousands of people are feared dead in Iran after a crackdown on weeks of anti-government protests. US President Donald Trump has urged anti-government protesters in Iran to "keep protesting", saying that "help is on its way".  Tara Kangarlou, global affairs journalist, author of The Heartbeat of Iran and Adjunct professor, Georgetown University joined us on Newstalk Breakfast this morning with the latest.
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Jan 14, 2026 • 6min

Climate report says 2025 was third hottest year on record

The European Union Copernicus Climate Change Service has confirmed that 2025 was the third warmest year on record, with global temperatures from the past three years averaging more than 1.5C above the pre-industrial level This is the first time the level of global warming, over a three-year period, has exceeded 1.5C.John Sweeney, Climatologist and Professor Emeritus of Geography at Maynooth University joined Sean Defoe on the show to discuss.
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Jan 14, 2026 • 7min

Calls to make Dublin a “feminist city”

Dublin City Council must adopt a “feminist town planning approach”, as a “gender-neutral approach to city development has consistently failed” the diverse needs of citizens. That is the proposal from Cat O’Driscoll, Social Democrat Councillor for Cabra-Glasnevin who joined Shane Coleman on the show this morning to discuss.
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Jan 14, 2026 • 5min

Dental scheme for medical card holders 'in a state of crisis'

Thousands of patients are being denied the free dental care they are entitled to every year after more than half of dentists across the country have pulled out of the medical card scheme. Irish Dental Association Chief, Fintan Hourihan, joined Sean Defoe on Newstalk Breakfast.
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Jan 14, 2026 • 7min

Leaders of Greenland and Denmark to arrive in Washington for talks

Now, there are two massive stories coming out of the US today, the leaders of Greenland and Denmark are arriving in Washington for a meeting at the White House, and the long-awaited Supreme Court ruling on tariffs is expected to be announced today.  Earlier, Shane Coleman caught up with Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio about all of this and began by asking what we can expect from the talks from Greenland and Denmark’s high-stake talks in Washington…
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Jan 14, 2026 • 4min

Calls for people convicted of illegal dumping to do litter clean-ups

Councillors in North Cork are calling for legislative changes to tackle litter and illegal dumping, after what they describe as unprecedented dumping levels in the area. Fine Gael councillor for Charleville in Cork, Aileen Browne joined Sean Defoe to discuss.

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