In The News

Amazon, the company founded by Jeff Bezos in a Seattle garage more than a quarter of a century ago, is building one of its massive fulfilment centres in Ireland. While that will mean faster deliveries, easier returns and greater choice for Irish customers, the arrival of an amazon.ie is not without its dark sides. In this episode, Conor Pope talks to US journalist and author Alec MacGillis, who has been documenting the growth of Amazon, about what it takes – or what it costs – to work in one of the online retail giant’s warehouses.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.Presented by Conor Pope.Music by Hugh Rodgers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Ireland's most notorious murderer Graham Dwyer win a retrial, or even walk free? Dwyer, who was convicted of the murder of Elaine O'Hara in 2015, reportedly believes so. In the years since Dwyer was handed a life sentence, court rulings on the legality of key evidence used against him - mobile phone metadata - have given him hope. On today's podcast, crime correspondent Conor Gallagher talks to Sorcha Pollak about the Dwyer case and his appeal. First they look back on the case and the mountain of evidence, including the mobile phone metadata, that was used to convict Dwyer. Then they go through the legal arguments at the heart of Dwyer's appeal to understand whether he has a chance of winning. Warning: this podcast contains some graphic descriptions of abuse and violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly 100 years after his death, the truth about who assassinated Michael Collins remains one of the greatest unanswered questions in Irish history. Collins was murdered at Béal na mBláth in Cork on August 22nd, 1922. At the time he was chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State. Why then was his death never properly investigated? Over the last century there has been much speculation about who fired the single shot that killed him. Will we ever know who did it? Guests: Art historian and performer Paddy Cullivan and Irish Times reporter Ronan McGreevy. Host: Conor Pope Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a quintessentially American institution, where kids battle it out to correctly spell ten-dollar words like 'querimonious' and 'solidungulate'. This year, the long dominance of Indian-American competitors was broken by the first ever black American winner, 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde. Documentary filmmaker Sam Rega tells us the story of the National Spelling Bee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland is in the midst of a rent crisis. Prices are increasing nationally at a rate of around 8%, housing stock is low and the cost of buying a home is beyond many people who would like to get a foot on the property ladder. In this episode we hear from two people with first-hand experience of the rental market. Conor Pope talks to Irish Times feature writer Jennifer O’Connell about the reality of the rent crisis, including the rise in a new phenomenon of family homelessness. And Irish Times reporter Jack Power explores what’s out there for would-be renters. Produced by Suzanne Brennan, Jennifer Ryan and Declan Conlon.www.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Sinn Féin adapt, evolve and rise to become the most popular political party in the Republic of Ireland? And if it does win power in a future election, can it satisfy the many disparate groups of voters who now support it? We talk to Pat Leahy, political editor of The Irish Times, and Aidan Regan, at UCD's School of Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Omicron variant of Sars CoV 2 is the most transmissible variant yet and the percentage of cases here is growing dramatically. What is the Government going to do about it and what are the implications for the health service? Conor Popes talks to Irish Times health editor Paul Cullen and political correspondent Jennifer Bray.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.www.irishtimes.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this month, the government approved a landmark scheme to regularise thousands of undocumented migrants and their families who are living in Ireland. The scheme, which opens in January and runs for six months, will allow those living in the shadows of society to come forward and establish their status. Seen as a life changing development for the nearly 17,000 undocumented people living in the country, Sorcha Pollak speaks to those who will benefit from this new development.  Hosted by Conor Pope. Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Demand for cosmetic procedures is on the rise across Ireland, but what are the risks involved when the industry remains unregulated? Features writer Jennifer O’Connell speaks to Sorcha Pollak.Produced by Declan Conlon, Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Denis Staunton on the latest scandal hitting UK prime minister Boris Johnson's government, after a week of denials that an illegal party took place in Downing Street last Christmas was brought to an embarrassing end by a leaked tape. Will the scandal weaken Johnson, or undermine the new Covid-19 restrictions he announced this week? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.