The Mick Clifford Podcast

In 2021, Alan Kearney was heading towards the pinnacle of his career. He was due to be promoted to commandant in the defence forces and was in line for a prestigious deployment to Leinster House. Then it all fell apart and he found himself the focus of a long running investigation and criminal charges. It took over three years before he was vindicated but by then the whole case had taken a huge toll on his career, health and family. This is his story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Haughey and Garrett Fitzgerald dominated politics in this country in the 1980s, and according to academic Eoin O’Malley, their rivalry shaped modern Ireland. O’Malley’s new book Charlie Vs Garrett examines the rivalry and the times the pair lived through when they were vying to run the country. It is a study of character, class and country. Eoin O’Malley is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The presidential race is up and running now, with Fianna Fail the latest party to select a candidate this week. Elsewhere, a whole host of independents are attempting to get nominated by appealed to county councils and Oireachtas members. Irish Examiner Political Correspondent Louise Burne takes a look at the runners and riders and who exactly might represent a value bet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s history has been tied up with that of Britain for eight hundred years through strife, colonialism, emigration and at times friendship. But where do we go from here? Philip Stephens is a long standing commentator with the Financial Times who had an Irish mother so he has a unique take on the ancient issue. His most recent book is These Divided Isles – Britain and Ireland Past And Future. Philip is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fifty years to the week after the death of Eamonn de Valera, we talk to his biographer Colum Kenny about the makings of the man who dominated the Irish state for the first half of its existence so far. Revered by some, hated by others, he has his rule has been subjected to much revision since his death.Revolutionary, statesman, leader, yet also considered conniving and dishonest in his role in creating the Civil War that proved to be brutal. Who really was the man who oversaw De Valera’s Ireland. Colum Kenny is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Leaving cert results are out and those who sat the exam are digesting how they did at a time when grade inflation is being reined in. But what does it all mean in today’s world? Will disappointment today just be a staging post to a career that is not at all dependant on the results and how far away is reform. Jess Casey is this week’s guest on the podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following a spate of racist attacks on Indian people in this country the question arises as to whether something new and ugly is going on in Irish society. Arpita Chowdhury is a journalist born in India but living now in Ireland. She has observed changes, both in real life and online in how racism is showing itsef. Arpita is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The GAA in the north went through a torrid time during the Troubles, with members targeted and even murdered simply because of their membership. There were also members of the association who were in the IRA and ended up dead primarily because they were themselves involved in violence.Peadar Thompson has written a book commemorating all the GAA members who died violently. In particular he spoke to bereaved families who remember their loved ones for who they were rather than how they died. Peadar Thompson is this week’s guest on the podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time, new regulations aimed at protecting Irish children online have been enacted – the ‘wild West’ era of social media is over. At least, that’s according to the Government, which this week announced the beginning of the Online Safety Code.It’s taken the law over 20 years to catch up with social media – and in the meantime, a whole generation of children has been exposed to violence, pornography, self-harm content and misogyny, with only some minor attempts at protecting them from Big Tech.But Ireland’s Online Safety Code is part of a wider effort including Europe’s Digital Services Act, the UK’s Digital Services Act and new Australian rules around social media which includes under 16s being banned from opening YouTube accounts. The measures have been widely welcomed in Ireland but have become the subject of huge debate in the UK. So – what are the rules, what are the penalties, and crucially, do they have enough teeth?Irish Examiner journalist Sean Murray joins Deirdre O’Shaughnessy on this week’s episode of the Mick Clifford podcastYou can read Sean Murray’s take on the Online Safety Code here: Will tech giants finally take online safety for children seriously?Clare O’Donoghue Velikic’s piece about Meta is here: Meta's ban on political ads will mean less transparency and more slop for usersAlex Cooney from Cybersafe Kids wrote recently in the Irish Examiner about Big Tech and children: Social media aimed at kids is driven by profit, not safety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The National Development Plan review was launched earlier this week to an underwhelmed response. An update of the previous plan, the review takes into account the Apple Tax escrow fund the Government was so keen not to claim, and promises a focus on providing the infrastructure key to housing delivery.Along with the Summer Economic Statement, both announcements this week make a statement about the forthcoming fiscal period, but in the absence of clarity on Trump's tariff plans - what does it all mean?Deirdre O'Shaughnessy speaks to Political Correspondent Louise Burne about the figures, the ambitions, and the lack of detail at the plan's core. Mick Clifford is away Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.