When she was a small child, Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan lived in a home where domestic abuse was commonplace. On one particular night, her mother's former partner threatened to kill them and her mother risked her life to save the children. Recently, Nicole spoke in the Seanad and was sucessful in getting an amendment added to the revised domestic abuse laws, if the amendment suceeds, the presence of children will be considered an aggravating factor when it comes to sentencing an abuser. Katie and Fran speak to Nicole about her life as a young child and how years later the impact of domestic abuse still affects her. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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27:07
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27:07
Inside the McGregor appeal
In an unexpected turn of events at the Court of Appeal, Conor McGregor withdrew the so called new evidence. McGregor is appealing the finding of a civil case where a jury found he had raped Nikita Hand in a hotel in 2018. Orla O’Donnell, RTÉ's Legal Affairs Correspondent, was in the appeal court this week and she joins Fran and Katie to tease out the details of the appeal and where the case might go now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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32:40
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32:40
The politics of college fees and tears in Westminister
David, Katie and Fran take a look at the politics behind the row over college fees. Earlier this week, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless confirmed there are no cost of living measures to support the continued reduction in fees but that Budget 26 negotiations were ongoing. The opposition isn't happy with that position and wants clarity. The trio also discuss UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves tough time during Prime Ministers questions in the House of Commons today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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22:42
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22:42
A stormy year for Starmer
Labour's win over the Tories last summer was described as a 'loveless landslide' and as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer marks one year in office, David, Katie and Fran discuss his short lived political honeymoon. Recent polls suggest he has some of the lowest approval ratings of any recently elected PM. The trio are joined by George Parker, Political Editor of the Financial Times to examine Starmer's political wins and losses. Also George reveals what it is like to play football with the Prime Minister. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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26:48
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26:48
A school beating, defence spend and 27 dresses!
A school beating that lingered: Paul Cunningham reveals his personal story of what happened to him as a ten year old child and how recent changes to child protection guidelines are helping to address some of the issues victims were experiencing when contacting their former schools. Katie and Paul also discuss Ireland's defence spend and why government are getting involved in an EU procurement scheme. And 27 dresses - the Bezos/Sanchez wedding! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as three of RTÉ’s top journalists, David McCullagh, Katie Hannon and Fran McNulty digest some of the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests and maybe even some laughs along the way. Email: behindthestory@rte.ieNew episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Ireland