In The News

Documentary maker and journalist Brian Carroll was in court for the sentencing hearing of Molly Martens and her father Thomas for the killing of Molly’s husband Jason Corbett.For two weeks the strategy of their defence team was to paint the brutal killing that took place in the bedroom of the couple’s home in August 2015 as an act of self-defence.In episode two we hear how the Limerick man’s family, including his two children, finally had their day in court to tell the world about their loving father and what their lives were like with their manipulative stepmother. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Documentary maker and journalist Brian Carroll was in court for the sentencing hearing of Molly Martens and her father Thomas for the killing of Molly’s husband Jason Corbett.For two weeks the strategy of their defence team was to paint the brutal killing that took place in the bedroom of the couple’s home in August 2015 as an act of self-defence.In episode one we hear how the Limerick man’s character was assassinated as the pair sought to present what they claimed were mitigating circumstances, all in a bid to have their jail-time minimised. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 it was under a ‘One Country, Two Systems’ governance model that guaranteed the continuation of a free press, an independent judiciary and the capitalism that underpins the former British colony’s wealth. The agreement was to stay in place until 2047 but in the past decade China has begun stamping out key freedoms, with XI Jingping apparently intent on undermining Hong Kong’s independence and on bringing the determinedly capitalist country more under its control. Irish Times China correspondent Denis Staunton explains how a security law introduced in 2020 is being used to stifle debate and press freedom and explores how far China is willing to go tear up the 1997 deal. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, a flood of foreign money has poured into the island of Cyprus, bringing extreme wealth to a few, but leaving the EU member status with a reputation as a shady financial hub.On Tuesday, the eight-month Cyprus Confidential investigation, carried out by dozens of journalists across the globe, revealed the sheer scale of dirty money that has been moved through Cyprus for oligarchs, tyrants, criminals and Russian president Vladamir Putin in recent years.Among them is billionaire and former owner of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich, who like many oligarchs was sanctioned in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.But how did Abramovich funnel money through Cypriot financial institutions and what does he buy with these vast sums of cash?Did Abramovich’s funding of Chelsea FC breach financial fair play rules? And, what financial investments did the Russian football club owner have in Ireland?Irish Times journalist Colm Keena, who is also a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists which produced Cyprus Confidential, joins the podcast to discuss the how Cyprus fuelled the Kremlin’s financial machine in the years leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has UK prime minister Rishi Sunk brought former prime minister David Cameron in from the cold after all these years? And what will Stella Braverman, fired as Home Secretary but still powerful on the right of the Conservative Party, do next? We ask London correspondent Mark Paul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Irish beef producers, China is a prize – capture that vast market and the troubled sector is secure. And Chinese influence in Asia means cracking that market is the key to opening others in the region such as South Korea.The Chinese though – mindful of the horrific global health crisis around beef in the 1990s – have a zero tolerance of BSE, a bovine disease that when it enters the food chain causes deadly CJD in humans. It closed its market to Irish beef three years ago when a case of BSE was found and it had only recently reopened when last week it was announced that a case of atypical BSE had been found in an Irish cow.The Chinese immediately shut down Irish beef imports. As farmer and agri journalist Hannah Quinn-Mulligan explains, it’s a massive reputational blow for Irish beef, and a major worry for Irish farmers. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since September, three nursing homes have been forced to close – in Kilkenny, Waterford and Cork. The residents, all vulnerable and elderly have had to be placed in new care facilities. All were private nursing homes, run by Aperee Living, part of a group of 10 such homes.The move follows highly critical reports by Hiqa which found serious issues in each of the homes. In some, the issues included financial irregularities. It’s a move the HSE does not take lightly. Irish Times reporter Jack Power has seen the Hiqa report and he explains what happened – and what next for Aperee Living. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around forty Irish citizens remain trapped inside Gaza after their names were not included on the list of foreign nationals allowed to leave the besieged area.On today’s podcast, Ibrahim Alagha, who usually lives in Blanchardstown with his wife and three children, describes the danger and hunger his family are facing on a daily bases.And Mark Weiss, who reports for The Irish Times in Israel, reflects on why most Israelis do not support calls for a ceasefire and discusses the efforts being made to secure the release of Irish-Israeli girl, Emily Hand, who was captured on October 7th.Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents face the challenge of explaining war to their children. The podcast provides advice on age-appropriate conversations and limiting exposure to media. It also discusses addressing war with teenagers, teaching non-violent solutions, and discussing bereavement and death.

An investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) unearthed an underground “banking” network offering an international money transfer system to Irish criminals. It allowed Irish drug gangs to move cash to continental Europe at low risk and without trace. The first step in this process was to bring the ill-gotten money to a local Chinese restaurant.Irish Times Crime Editor Conor Lally interviewed the head of Cab, who told him about the newly uncovered methods of hiding the proceeds of crime - and about how Instagram and reality TV are influencing the way criminals spend their money. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.