The Hard Shoulder

Two weeks ago on the Hard Shoulder, we spoke with Katelyn, a student at UCD, and she told us how images of her “nude, bruised and unconscious” after being sexually assaulted were shared and circulated to a significant number of UCD Staff and student body email addresses, and then some months later, to a student WhatsApp group…Over the weekend, doctors working within the Irish healthcare system have written an open letter to UCD, expressing their concerns about these incidents that took place and the University’s reaction, but also to question the moral and ethics of the cohort of students who left vile comments about the image and of Katelyn that was circulated.Dr. Emma Hughes and Dr Nicola Duffy are the two doctors who penned the open letter, and they join Ciara to discuss.If you have been affected by this interview, help is available:You can reach Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on their 24 hr national helpline on 1800 778 888.Or contact Women’s aid on their 24 helpline 1800 341 900.

While we all may be familiar with the iconic British Pathé logo adorning archive footage of Ireland pre nineteen sixties with an English accent narrating events, in the nineteen fifties, Gael Linn founded their own newsreel service, narrated as Gaeilge. The footage has now been digitised and is available to view online, and Ronan McGreevy, News Reporter with The Irish Times joins Shane to talk about the archive.Image: IFI Archive Player

“My parents moved into my one-bed apartment to help me through breast cancer treatment – and we actually had a great time”.Those are the words of Caroline Kay, Singer-Songwriter Caroline Kay and her dad, Donal Keating. They join Ciara to share their experience.

Iarnród Éireann has paid out almost €150,000 in compensation to passengers in the first 10 months of 2024 alone due to issues such as late trains, rude staff, cancellations or cleanliness issues.Joining Shane to discuss this is Barry Kenny, Head of Communications with Irish Rail and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, European Transport Committee MEP, who obtained these figures.

The Taoiseach has warned against price gouging as the price of energy soars due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Brian Ó Gallachóir, Professor of Sustainability and Associate Vice-President of Sustainability at University College Cork.The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission need to quickly look into and establish if there is price gouging or price fixing across the Irish fuel market as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. So says Seán Kyne, Leader of Seanad Éireann, and Fine Gael Senator, who also joins to discuss…

From finding love to landing a job, being more candid and saying too much may be the key to getting ahead.Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss this is Leslie John, Harvard Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and author of ‘REVEALING: The Underrated Power of Oversharing’ who had these findings.

According to new research from the National Transport Authority (NTA), the number of people in Dublin using bikes daily has risen by 50% in just the past two years. This begs the question: is our cycling infrastructure good enough to accommodate this rise? Do we need more cycle lanes?Joining Shane to discuss is Ciarán Cannon, President of Cycling Ireland.

(Most) of Ireland is basking in the sun! When the weather has been so bad recently, how do we make the best of it when the day is dry and sunny?Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Ciara and Shane to discuss.

We are now on day four of the war between the US and Israel against Iran.Iran yesterday hit Tel Aviv killing 10 and wiping out entire streets and buildings.The Israeli Defense Forces announced earlier today that it has begun a large-scale wave of strikes on Tehran, having earlier announced its strikes on Beirut. Netanyahu has also approved a military ground incursion into the southern part of Lebanon.For the latest, Ciara is joined by Paul Kearns, Freelance Journalist in Tel Aviv and Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University.Image: Reuters

It’s normal to lose 50 to 150 hairs per day. That may seem like a lot, but most people have about 100,000 hairs on their heads at any given time. So, when should you start to worry?Joining Shane to discuss is Trua Trichologist, Sarah Cummins…