Behind the Story

Earlier this week, a leading figure in the Kinahan crime gang, Sean McGovern pled guilty at the Special Criminal Court to directing a criminal gang in relation to the murder of one man and the surveillance of another.
McGovern is the first person to be extradited from the UAE to face trial.
Author and crime reporter Barry Cummins joins Fran to discuss the case and examine why the Kinahan crime group are ‘comfortably trapped’ in Dubai as the Iran war continues in the region.

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One of the world's leading tech billionaires, Peter Thiel is in Rome this week, giving a series of 'behind closed doors' lectures on the Antichrist. The Vatican is not impressed. Reporter Amy Kazmin of the Financial Times joins Fran and Paul to discuss the reaction to Thiel's talks. Later, Professor of Ecclesiology, Massimo Faggioli explains the tension between advances in AI, Pope Leo and Catholic America's involvement with investments in the technology.

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Jessie Buckley made history by becoming the first Irish woman to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Success too for Dubliner Richie Baneham who won his third Oscar for his work on Avatar. Evelyn O'Rourke tells Fran all about the night, the reaction to the wins but also how the night unravelled for Timothée Chalamet.
Later, Fran is joined by Washington Correspondent, Jackie Fox, as she looks ahead to Taoiseach's visit to the White House for St Patrick's Day.

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Earlier this week, a documentary by Louis Theroux landed on Netflix. Fran is joined by Professor Debbie Ging of DCU to discuss the growth of the manosphere and how misogynist behaviour and beliefs are spreading. Debbie also talks about what's happening in this country and points to some positive male influencers who are challenging the manosphere.
Later, Fran is joined by Evelyn O'Rourke, arts and media correspondant, who is in LA for the Oscars. Evelyn shares stories from the city of Angels!

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New figures released today show that used EVs are priced 11% below comparable diesel vehicles. After a fall in the value of electric cars, the market appears to have stabilised, which is attracting buyers back to considering an EV purchase. Fran and Paul are joined by Geraldine Herbert to discuss what's happened and how higher range vehicles are becoming more affordable.
Fran and Paul also discuss the concern around the increasing use of private, unregulated accommodation for some of the state's most vulnerable children. Over a thousand children were placed in hotels and B&Bs last year due to a shortage of state accommodation.

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