The Hard Shoulder

A woman who was falsely imprisoned and brutally tortured over the course of 3 hours has stated that she feels “numb” after 5 five men were sentenced today by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.Frank Greaney is Newstalk Court Correspondent, and joins Mandy Johnston to discuss.

If you have social media, it’s likely that you may have shared pictures and videos of your loved ones.But, with the race to develop more advanced artificial intelligence ever increasing, should we hold concerns over how social media companies are now processing our personal data?Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss this is Eoin O’Dell, Associate Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin.

There is no doubt that sending and receiving voice notes is now one of the mainstream ways we communicate with one another.But, how do you feel about them? Do you like and use them, or are they more of a hindrance than an effective method of communication?Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss is Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Journalist and Esther McCarthy, Lifestyle Editor with the Irish Examiner.Image: Meta

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined guest host Mandy Johnston to give his travel tips for Ballybunion in Kerry!

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said today that the UK will officially recognise Palestine as a state in September, unless Israel agrees to a Gaza ceasefire and a commitment to a long-term peace process that delivers a two state solution.London Journalist and Commentator Enda Brady joins guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss.

How would you feel about living in your parents’ back garden? With rents still rising, the Government is now looking at making modular homes exempt from planning permission to tackle the housing crisis, but would they work? Is this yet another ineffective short-term measure?Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss is Conservationist and Architect Róisín Murphy.

Donal Fallon, Presenter of Three Castles Burning history podcast joins guest host Mandy Johnston to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

As the race for the Presidency heats up, only two candidates have been nominated so far.They are Mairead McGuiness, nominated by Fine Gael, and Catherine Connolly, who has been nominated by the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and 100% Redress, with other independent support.Catherine joins guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss her candidacy.

Outgoing Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has faced scrutiny over resignations and recruitment lows, and has been heavily criticised by the Garda Representative Association over his seven-year term. With Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly announced as his successor, what are the main challenges he will face?Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss is Crime Journalist with the Irish Independent, Paul Williams.

Today, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has classified Hexa-hydro-cannabinol, or HHC, as an illegal substance.This means that the import, export, production, possession, sale, and supply of products containing HHC is now illegal.Does this ban go far enough? To discuss, guest host Mandy Johnston is joined by Dr Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist.